MALAYSIA TO DISCUSS BIRD NEST ISSUE WITH CHINA

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will meet the authorities in China
to discuss the move by two wholesalers there to take the bird nests imported
from Malaysia off their shelves following a directive by the Chinese
authorities.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Chua Tee Yong said the
discussion would be held in China within the next two weeks.

"We will meet them to find a solution," he told reporters after officiating
at the World Egg Day here Friday.

It was reported that Chinese authorities were concerned over what they
claimed as excessive level of nitrite found in red bird's nests, widely known as
blood nests, imported from Malaysia.

Chua said the country's egg industry generated between RM1.8
billion (US$1=RM3.15) and RM2 billion in annual revenue for the country.

Egg production had also been on the increase, from 15 million a day to 20
million a day, he said.

Hong Kong and Singapore are the two major importers of eggs from Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA