BERA, July 15 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (MOA) has issued licence with immediate effect to 34 companies to import chicken from producing countries, such as China, Thailand, Australia and the European Union.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the move was taken to stabilise the price of chicken in the local markets, which had reached RM10 per kilogramme.
However, he said the importers should adhere to certain rules and regulations, including obtaining halal certification from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and health certification from the Health Ministry.
The importers must also import the poultry from companies with slaughtering centres recognised by Jakim to avert halal or health issues, he told reporters after presenting Bera member of Parliament’s donation and tithe to 524 recipients from Felda Tembangau here Monday.
“It is hoped that the companies can bring in between 2.2 million to 2.4 million of chickens daily, not only to stabilise the price of chicken, but also to meet the demands of Muslims during the Ramadan and Hari Raya celebration,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri refuted Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) deputy president Muhammad Shaani Abdullah’s allegation that the demand for chicken had declined during Ramadan.
“Actually, the demand for chicken had increased from 1.4 million to 2.2 million daily.
“We have the statistics because we are involved directly with the chicken-breeding industry in the country,” he said.
The minister said he would also seek an explanation and report from the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) on why chicken in Shah Alam Farmers’ Market was being sold at RM8.40 per kilogramme.
“Chicken price at any farmers’ market should be RM7.80 per kilogramme,” he added.
