Malaysian livestock group backs ban on China chicken imports

FLFAM broiler unit chairman Kwei Yew Tong said they fully support the temporary ban by the Department of Veterinary Services of Chinese chicken imports in view of three deaths due to bird flu in a span of three weeks.

Kwei agreed with the department that the suspension of imports would ensure that Malaysia may at least prevent the disease from entering the country.

He said that Malaysia has been free from the disease since Sept 2007 and the country intends to keep the disease-free status.

Kwei said domestic production of chicken meat averages at around 338,000 tonnes annually, which he said is sufficient to cater to the demand from meat processors.

Comparatively, meat processors imported some 16,000 tonnes of chicken meat last year, accounting for less than five percent of local production.