Mat Sabu Assures Bird Flu Outbreak In US & Europe Won't Affect Malaysia's Chicken Supply
Mat Sabu's comments come after a local media outlet reported that Malaysia could be facing a serious food security threat by June this year.
By Sadho Ram — 25 Jan 2023, 05:40 PM
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu today, 25 January, assured that chicken supply for the domestic market will not be affected by the bird flu outbreak in the US and Europe
According to Mohamad, who is commonly known as Mat Sabu, the ministry is keeping tabs on the bird flu outbreak situation in the northern hemisphere and Malaysia's chicken supply remains stable at the moment.
He said that there were no bird flu cases reported in Malaysia.
"Currently, the supply of chicken in the country is stable, and we hope that this will continue in the future. So far, the bird flu outbreak has not affected the country's supply of chicken," he told reporters.
Since early 2022, the bird flu outbreak in several European countries and in 46 states in the US has resulted in the culling of more than 49 million chickens to curb the spread of the virus.
Mat Sabu's comments come after a local media outlet reported that Malaysia could be facing a serious food security threat by June 2023
According to New Straits Times, the report was carried out by a Malay daily.
The report from the unnamed daily quoted sources from chicken breeder industry players, claiming that the threat could come from the serious outbreak of the bird flu in the West.
The Malay daily's sources had claimed the disruption would reduce daily chicken supply in the domestic market from 2.2 million birds daily to 1.3 million birds daily, reported New Straits Times.
The sources added that Malaysia relied on parent stock from the Europe and the US, and the supply could be affected by their move to impose export conditions amidst the outbreak of the virus.
The daily also reported that out of 22 local companies which produced parent stock, 10 of them were relying on parent stock imported from the northern hemisphere, especially European nations.
Meanwhile, when asked about targeted subsidies for chicken breeders, Mat Sabu said it's being discussed with other ministries
According to him, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living are in the final stage of reviewing the matter and an announcement can be expected soon.
Mohamad Sabu (second left) holding a chicken while others look on at a chicken breeding, processing, and distribution company in Alor Setar, Kedah.
Image via Bernama