| |
KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia's pig farmers are urging the government to ban the import of all pork and pork related products immediately.
Consumers, on the other hand, hope the authorities will do more to ensure locally produced pork meets international safety standards.
Pork vendors at a wet market near the capital Kuala Lumpur are enjoying brisk business as most consumers shrug off concerns over the swine flu outbreak. But some are eating less pork for now.
Housewife Madame Soon is worried about the risks of contaminated pork being imported into the market. "For the time being they should stop (the imports) first, and check everything. If nothing's wrong, it's okay," said Madam Soon.
Another consumer Sally Ng is also not taking chances. She is switching to chicken for the time being. She said: "The government should check our local farms to make sure they are clean and free from these viruses."
Local pork suppliers are urging the government to ban pork imports as they say the daily supply of 7,000 pigs is enough to cater to local demand.
"The government should ensure price stability of locally produced pork to make it affordable for the masses, otherwise we have to import. Although imported ones are cheaper, we are not sure whether they meet hygiene standards," said Lee Kam Seng, a pork wholesaler.
According to the authorities, less than 5 per cent of Malaysia's pork supply comes from overseas - mostly from the US, Australia and China. But the recent increase in pork prices may have sparked a spike in pork imports from Latin America and other parts of Southeast Asia. - CNA /ls
|
