Malaysian FLFAM troubled over tainted pork and price hikes

 

 

The Federation of Livestock Farmers' Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) has to inform the Veterinary Services Department before any price hikes of ex-farm pigs.

 

Its director-general, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, said the price of ex-farm price was RM7.60 per kilogramme compared to RM7.30 about two months ago, and if the rise is excessive, the department would advise FLFAM to review the price.

 

"The ex-farm price of pigs depends on demand and supply and in general towards the Chinese New Year the demand will rise.

 

"The price rise of ex-farm pigs usually is caused by rise in production costs including for raw material, disease control, environmental pollution control, and also cost of labour from time to time," he said in a statement here on Thursday.

 

On the allegation by the Malaysian Pork Consumers Association (MPCA) that pork from farms in Perak was tainted with beta-agonist, he said the department could not confirm the allegation as it was not involved in the sampling done by MPCA.

 

"Currently, the department has conducted sampling at 455 farms and several abattoirs. All samples from them had been tested using the Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry technique for confirmation tests.

 

"The results showed all samples were negative for beta-agonist," he said.

 

Dr Abdul Aziz said the department under the Animal Feed Act 2009 will enforce control regulations on chemicals like beta-agonist that was mixed with animal feed without following procedure and limits.

 

"Under the act, offenders can be fined up to a maximum of RM100,000 or jailed not more than two years or both," he said.

 

He said for second and subsequent offences, the fine was not more than RM200,000 or jail not more than four years or both, and added that  farm owners, pig rearers, distributors and pork sellers were all liable under the act.