March 8, 2006

Malaysia resumes imports of US beef

Malaysia has lifted its ban on US beef imports, which has been in place for more than two years, reported local media on Mar 7.

The ban was imposed in December 2003 over concerns of mad cow disease. The ban was lifted after beef from two US companies were approved for import.

Agriculture Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia will be cautious with the beef imports and will insist that the meat come from cattle less than 30 months old.

Malaysia and several other countries imposed bans on US beef in 2003 after a case of mad cow disease was reported in the US. However, a few Asian nations such as Singapore have lifted the bans recently.

Veterinary and Islamic religious officials have inspected the beef from the two US companies and declared it free of disease and to be halal, said Muhyiddin.