KUALA LUMPUR – People need not worry about the halal status of imported chicken as the government will only obtain supplies from producers recognised by the Health Ministry and two agencies assigned to monitor the matter, said Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.
Kiandee said the two agencies were the Veterinary Services Department and Islamic Development Department.
“The agencies are monitoring the matter and will issue certificates to producers from abroad.
“Imports of chicken will only be allowed from processing plants that are recognised and have halal certificates,” he told a press conference after officiating the 36th annual general meeting of the National Fishermen’s Association at Tamu Hotel and Suites here today.
Kiandee said the decision to import chicken was made to address the issue of supply shortage that has been going on over the past months.
However, he said, the initiative would only be carried out temporarily to ensure that supplies of chicken in the market are sufficient.
The government has allowed companies to import frozen whole chicken from this month to February next year, including imports of up to 10,000 metric tonnes or 5.5 million chickens a month to cover shortages in chicken supply. – Bernama, December 7, 2021
