Malaysian government allowed fresh meat import from Pakistan, Sudan, Brazil

Putrajaya, August 22, 2011 (PPI): Malaysian government says there is sufficient meat for Aidilfitri despite the government ban on import of goats, cows and sheep from Australia since July due to Hendra virus outbreak. Veterinary Services Department director general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said the government allowed import of fresh meat from Pakistan, Sudan and Brazil.

“We have no problems in terms of supply but worry over the price. Despite ceiling price, we fear manipulation of stock to drive up prices,” he told a press conference here Monday.

Aziz said ban on importation of live animals was a precaution so that Hendra virus outbreak did not spread to Malaysia. “More than 10 cases occurred over there. The pandemic is no different than nipah virus in 1998 and 1999 which destroyed the pig rearing industry and claimed over 120 lives.”

The ministry is currently in talks with Australian government to improve existing import conditions including imposing Hendra virus tests. “They did not object but want us to fix two or three things not associated with Hendra before they can issue export permits.”