December 21, 2006

Consumer fears cause pork sales to plunge 50 percent in Malaysia
 

The discovery of beta-agonist use in pigs by pig farmers have caused pork sales to plunge by 50 percent during the past one to two weeks, according to Goh Chui Lai, chairman of the Malaysian Pork Sellers Association.

30 Malaysian pig farms were placed under a two-week quarantine following the discovery of high levels of the banned growth enhancer, beta agonist, in animals.

Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia pig unit chairman, Tung Hong Chai, said business had fallen 40 percent compared with more than a month ago.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said action has to be taken so that the use of the banned substance would stopped and the effect on the RM1.5 billion (US$423 million) industry would be limited.