January 13, 2010

Malaysian farmers blamed for pork shortage

Local pork sellers are blaming some pig farmers, especially those in the central and northern region of Malaysia, for the wanton use of beta agonist, a banned growth substance, to breed the livestock.

Sellers also alleged that some farmers are phasing out female and suckling pigs to create an artificial shortage.

Federation of Malaysia Pork Sellers Associations president Goh Chui Lai said the latest information from the Veterinary Department revealed that at least five farmers were caught using beta agonist recently.

Goh said the figure could be just the tip of the iceberg, as some farmers could have disposed of their livestock before enforcement officers went to inspect their farms.

He said the way farmers manipulated pig supply had led to a drastic hike in the ex-farm price of pigs from MYR460 per 100kg in 2007 to MYR760 at present.

He believed the farmers had started phasing out female and suckling pigs since June last year, and pork sellers had started to feel the impact recently due to severe shortage.

Goh appealed to the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry to allow the opening of more farms and for seasonal import of pork from neighbouring countries.