March 10, 2026

 

Malaysia to boost number of meat inspectors

 

Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) will increase the number of meat inspectors nationwide as it seeks a four-star rating in an audit under Australia's Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) scheduled for June.

 

Its director-general, Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron, said strengthening meat inspection capacity is crucial not only for public health, but also for maintaining international confidence in Malaysia's management of imported livestock.

 

Malaysia is rated at 3.5 stars under the ESCAS framework and is aiming to achieve at least a 4-star rating after the next audit.

 

"Our direction now is to reach four stars. Once DVS is recognised at that level, our standing is higher and closer to developed countries," he told the New Straits Times.

 

He said a stronger rating would enhance confidence in Malaysia's veterinary health certification, particularly among trading partners.

 

"When our entrepreneurs export, our health certificates must be trusted by other countries," he added. "They need to know that Malaysian authorities have carried out their responsibilities properly."

 

Dr. Noor Hisham said one concern raised in the previous audit involved meat and product inspection, as well as food safety areas constrained by manpower shortages.

 

Ideally, he said, every animal slaughtered for consumption in Malaysia, including poultry, cattle, goats and pigs, should be inspected by DVS officers to ensure that they are healthy.

 

"But we face limitations in terms of staff and manpower to do this," he noted.

 

He cited the scale of poultry consumption in Malaysia to illustrate his point: between 1.9 million and 2.1 million chickens are consumed in the country daily.

 

"In principle, each of these chickens should go through our inspection That is just poultry. We have not even included cattle and other livestock," he said.

 

DVS has 70 meat inspectors overseeing 112 premises, including departmental slaughterhouses, private premises and poultry plants.

 

"On average, one inspector needs to cover about two premises," Dr. Noor Hisham said. "DVS estimates that an additional 20 to 30 inspectors are required to ensure permanent placement at key abattoirs and plants to ensure more consistent monitoring.

 

"This approach takes into account long-term effectiveness compared with the temporary appointment of part-time state officers."

 

While certified meat inspectors are stationed at major licensed slaughterhouses, Dr. Noor Hisham acknowledged that DVS does not have the capacity to inspect every animal slaughtered nationwide.

 

To address manpower constraints, he said DVS is adopting a two-pronged approach: gradually increasing the number of meat inspectors; and exploring greater involvement of the private sector, including retired veterinary officers and private veterinarians, to support inspection efforts.

 

"Australia exports live cattle to us. They want assurance that we handle their livestock humanely including the slaughter systems we use," he added. "We will increase the number of meat inspectors gradually. It is a step-by-step process, but our direction towards four stars is clear."

 

Consumers, he added, can look for the "V" logo indicating veterinary-inspected products.

 

- New Straits Times