SINGAPORE: Singapore's food import sources have seen an eight-fold increase over the past 20 years.

In order to expand trade, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) will introduce two new funds to increase food imports and boost local farm development.

The AVA said it places emphasis on ensuring meat products are safe for human consumption. Currently, meat imports go through a ten-minute lab test before they can go on the shelf.

Singapore has been importing live pigs from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia since 1988.

As of 2008, Singapore has 31 sources of food imports - including frozen chicken, duck, pork, beef, mutton and egg products.

- CNA/sc