June 24, 2009

 

The Malaysian House of Parliament has passed the Animal Feed Bill 2008, which among others facilitates the establishment of the Animal Feed Board, after 14 years of delay.

 

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar said the Animal Feed Board would supervise the quality of animal feed and supplements through import, production, sale and consumption controls.

 

Of the 14-year delay, the minister it was because the government had to consider its readiness and the industry's readiness in terms of the need for capacity development and to ensure effective implementation and enforcement. 

 

Careful studies were also needed so that its implementation is in line and does not overlap other laws such as the Poison Act 1952 and Food Act 1983, said Noh, adding that they had to ensure all the laws complement each other in accordance with the food safety concept from farm to table.

 

Efforts to draft the animal feed bill began in 1995 but it was only discussed in Parliament this year.

 

Under the Bill, all farms would be required to undergo inspection so that the misuse of prohibited drugs and chemicals could be detected. 

 

Banned chemicals often found in animal feed include beta agonist, dioxin, nitrofuran, chloramphenicol and flouroquinolone. 

 

The regulations to be drawn up under the Act would also consider halal requirements, which would be enforced through labelling so that consumers would have options, Noh said.

 

A traceability system will also be introduced, and a database will be developed to keep all information in each chain of production.