January 23, 2007

Malaysia to test imported pig feed for beta-agonist
 

Pig feed imported by 16 companies in Malaysia would be tested for beta-agonist, a banned growth enhancer.

Malaysian health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said his ministry's pharmaceutical division would carry this out.

Since the country was going to ban the use of beta-agonist, it was important to know whether the imported feed contains the banned growth enhancer, Dr Chua explained.

Pig feed to Malaysia comes from China and India among other countries.

Currently, 37 pig farms are under a one-month quarantine after their animals were found to have high levels of beta-agonist.

Dr Chua said the farmers would be allowed to send their pigs for slaughter after the quarantine period only after receiving an official nod from the veterinary services department.

Pig farms that do not notify the department would remain under quarantine.

So far only four farms whose quarantine period expired on Jan 14, have applied to the department.