December 10, 2003

Malaysia: Cows From FMD Kelantan State Barred From Entering Kedah State

In Malaysia, cows from Kelantan where cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) were detected are barred from entering Kedah, Kedah Director of Veterinary Services Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said on Sunday.

Cattle farmers from Kedah should also not buy cows from north Perak as the animals could have been brought in from Kelantan, he said.

To check the entry of infected animals from Kelantan, the Kedah Veterinary Services Department was checking all lorries bringing in cattle at the Kedah-Perak border, he said at the department's Hari Raya open house here.

Anyone bringing in the infected cow from Kelantan could be punished under the Animal Ordinance 1952 which provided a fine of RM5,000 and seizure of the prohibited item.

He said Kedah was at present free from the FMD but precautions had to be taken in view of the approaching Hari Raya Qurban on Feb 1 when cattle would be slaughtered in sacrifice.

Incidentally Feb 1 is a Sunday and is also Federal Territory Day which means Feb 2 and 3 will also be holidays for FT (KL, Putrajaya and Labuan) folks.

There would also be high demand for cattle during the period, Dr Quaza added.

He said Kedah had to import 60% of its needs during the celebration, which amounts to an approximate of 3,000 to 4,000 cattle imports.

Kedah could only supply some 2,000 head of cattle.