November 8, 2004

Malaysia Aims to Limit Dependence on Beef Imports
 

In order to prevent reliance on imported beef, Malaysia needs more than one million heads of cattle a year to raise the local supply of beef in the next 10 years.

Malaysia is currently importing RM300 million of beef, which was 80% of its annual requirement, according to Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin revealed that a committee, which prepares a national livestock industry development plan, would seek to raise the local meat supply from 20% to 40%.

The ministry hoped that the plan would help to increase the supply of local meat within the next two to three years. Private companies that have joint ventures with foreign breeders would support the plan.

Presently, local livestock breeders could only provide between 200,000 and 300,000 heads of cattle.

For the effective implementation of the plan, costs, human resources and land are some of the factors that must be taken into account, according to the minister.