Malaysia: Pig feed tested for beta agonist
Pig feed imported by 16 companies in Malasyia will be tested for beta-agonist, a banned growth enhancer injurious to health. According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, this would be carried out by his ministry’s pharmaceutical division.
farmers, it is also important to know whether the imported feed contains the
banned growth enhancer, said Dr Chua.
Clean bill before
slaughter
At present, 37 pig farms are placed under a one-month
quarantine after their animals were found to have high levels of beta-agonist.
This followed a check on 656 farms nationwide. Dr Chua said the farmers were
allowed to send their pigs for slaughter after the quarantine period only upon
receiving the green light from the Veterinary Services Department.
“Once the
quarantine period is over, the farmers should inform the Veterinary Services
Department which will then take samples from the pigs to ascertain whether they
are free of beta agonist,” he added. Only farmers who have made the declaration
and received a clean bill from the Veterinary Services are allowed to send their
pigs for slaughter.
So far only four farms whose quarantine period
expired on Jan 14, have applied to the Veterinary Services Department to test
their pigs.
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