December 19, 2006

30 pig farms in Malaysia quarantined for using growth enhancer

Thirty pig farms spread over four states in Malaysia have been placed under a two-week quarantine following the discovery of high levels of the banned growth enhancer, beta agonist, in animals.

Police and the Veterinary Services Department would prevent farmers from smuggling pigs out for slaughter at unlicensed abattoirs during the period, Malaysian Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.

The farms in Malacca, Selangor, Perak and Penang must be certified free of beta agonist before they can resume slaughtering pigs.