February 11, 2004

Malaysia Wary of Chicken Shortage Following Production Pullback

Malaysia Prime Minister Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has expressed concern that action taken by poultry producers in the country may cause a shortage of chicken supply in the country. This comes after Malaysian poultry farmers showed signs of withdrawing production and imports amid bird flu fears.

The Prime Minister described whatever action to be taken by the chicken breeders as precautionary measures.

Press reports Monday stated the possibility of a crisis in the supply of chicken in the country next month especially following the move by a majority of poultry farmers to reduce their imports of chicks.

"This is a precautionary measure, a move to ensure that they will not face big losses. At the same time, we don't want a situation where the country faces a shortage of chicken supply.

"If there is a shortage of chicken, where else do we get them from," said Abdullah at a media conference on Monday.

The Prime Minister stressed that chickens in the country were healthy and safe for consumption because there had been no symptoms so far that they had been infected with the bird flu which was affecting several countries in Asia as well as the United States.

"At the moment, it's possible that Malaysians are eating less chicken as a precaution. That's up to them. But in actual fact, from the information available, Malaysian chickens are safe for consumption," he said.

Abdullah said information that the chicken supply in the country was safe for consumption as they were free from the bird flu should be conveyed to the people continuously to convince them.

He also described that the inspection carried out in the northern region as crucial to ensure that there was no entry of the bird from southern Thailand which was currently facing an outbreak of the bird flu.

"If we carry out constant checks and if there is any symptom of an infection, then we can act immediately," he said.