August 6, 2004

Malaysia Claim Duck Industry Not Affected By Bird Flu Suspension

Malaysia's duck-rearing industry has not been affected by Singapore's suspension of duck imports, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said. 

The business was not as big as the chicken industry, he said, adding that farmers could still cater to the local market. 

There had not been any complaints of unsold ducks, the minister stated yesterday. 

He was commenting on the issue involving a duck farm in Kuala Dipang, Perak, which has been given a clean bill of health after tests carried out by the state veterinary services department cleared the birds of avian influenza. 

The tests were carried out after Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority reportedly suspended imports of poultry from the farm for suspected low-grade bird flu. 

Muhyiddin said Singapore should consider the test results from Malaysia and review its ban on duck imports from the farm.