January 10, 2013

In order to ensure their meat is disease-free and meets standards for export, Myanmar's veterinary experts will routinely inspect cattle at ranches across the country beginning this month.

"The cattle must be bred systematically," said Aung Gyi, the deputy director of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department. "Health checks on the cattle must be performed."

He said that his team will determine whether correct feeding procedures have been adhered to, and authorise export of the beef or the cattle.

Foot-and-mouth disease was detected in July in some beef that was exported to China, and beef exports were subsequently suspended. Aung Gyi said that the health checks and vaccinations will ensure that only beef and cattle from disease-free regions will be exported.

Draught cattle are not allowed to be exported from Burma, officially known as Myanmar. However, live cattle have been permitted for export to Malaysia via Kyaukphyu Deep-sea Port for the past three years.

According to data from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, frozen beef has been exported to China and the Middle East since 2008, and flocks of sheep, goats and cattle were exported to Malaysia until 2011.

In 2011-12 fiscal year, Burma's frozen beef exports were recorded at over US$48 million.