November 5, 2003

Stringent Checks On Pig Farms in Malaysia for Banned Drug in Animal Feed

Malaysian's authorities are going all out to conduct stringent checks on pig farms and abattoirs in Penang to ensure they do not use the banned beta agonist drug in animal feed. 

State Local Government, Environment and Traffic Management committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said that out of around 250 pig farms, an estimated 10% of them were still using the drug. 

He added that checks would also be carried out on pork sellers to deter them from selling pork tainted with beta agonist. 

"Although only a few pig farmers are still using the drug, we still have to intensify our efforts to eradicate the problem for the safety of the consumers," he told a press conference recently.  

Beta agonist, a white odourless soluble powder, is used in animal feed as a growth hormone to reduce fat content and produce leaner meat. 

The drug, which was banned in 1998 under the Food Act 1983 (1988 Amendment), is said to be able to cause side-effects such as muscle tremor, muscle cramps, nausea, insomnia, headache and heart fibrillation. 

Dr Teng said members of the Penang Livestock Farmers Association had also agreed to work with the authorities in the crackdown on beta agonist. 

Dr Teng added that 38 pig farms in South Seberang Prai had yet to adhered to the guidelines, requiring farmers to treat pig waste to meet the required biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of below 50ppm (parts per million). 

"These farmers are in the process of closing down voluntarily or installing treatment system to comply with the guidelines," he said.