March 3, 2006
Malaysia to build US$5 million poultry slaughterhouse
A RM20-million (US$5.4 million) integrated halal slaughter centre for poultry will be built on a five-hectare site in Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said Thursday.
Work on the project would begin soon and was expected to be completed in one year to 18 months.
The centre will be equipped with modern equipment and the system used will meet environment quality regulatons and comply with the halal requirements of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, he told reporters after the ministry's post-Cabinet meeting.
He said the ministry would study whether to allow slaughter of poultry at wet markets after the centre had been completed.
Chicken meat sellers are currently allowed to slaughter chickens in wet markets or places where they sell chickens. He said the ministry is discussing with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to arrange suitable slaughterhouses for the sellers.
The sellers can continue to sell in wet markets, but the government does not want chickens slaughtered there so as to prevent the spread of bird flu virus.
Zulhasnan said the centre will improve the management of poultry slaughter following the recent outbreak of bird flu in the country.
Hong Kong had made a similar announcement this week to set up a slaughter centre so that the selling of live chickens in wet markets within the territory can be phased out.
Malaysia is also launching a campaign to help the poultry industry by drumming up public confidence on the safety of chicken meat, said Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Poultry sales had fallen 30 to 40 percent since the outbreak of bird flu. Poultry breeders sought help from the government and the cabinet has responded by launching a series of chicken meat eating campaigns starting on Mar 3, he said.
He further added that the Malaysian government has spent RM18,000 (US$4,855) on reparations to affected farmers who have sent in their poultry for culling.
