SHAH ALAM – The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry is studying proposals to set up a one-stop quarantine centre (OSQC) to further empower and enhance the biosecurity and safety of the country’s food supply.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the proposed OSQC was in view of the risk of diseases or pests being brought in via trade, adding that the OSQC would be studied for development at the country’s gateways.
He said this was to ensure all agro-food goods underwent a comprehensive inspection and quarantine process at the country’s gateways before they are imported or exported.
Generally, Kiandee said, the proposed OSQC would have five functions, namely virus/microorganism detection, disinfection, quarantine, quarantine certification, and prevention of illegal activities.
“Currently, the country does not have a one-stop quarantine centre equipped with the latest technology at every gateway to ensure comprehensive inspections are carried out,” he said in a statement today.
“Apart from the development of infrastructure and facilities, this project also involves the proposed development of a separate information technology system to help in the traceability and automation processes that will be used.”
The statement also said that Kiandee had handed over 54 tonnes of frozen meat products illegally imported from various countries worth RM1.5 million to eight departments and agencies.
The frozen food products, which were handed over at Port Klang today, were confiscated items by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) that were forfeited from cases from February to April.
He handed over the frozen food products to representatives under the Wildlife and National Parks Department, among them from Taiping Zoo in Perak, Melaka Zoo, Lost World of Tambun in Perak, Perak National Wildlife Rescue Centre, as well as Penor Prison in Pahang, Pengkalan Chepa Prison in Kelantan, and Marang Prison in Terengganu.
“The ministry, through Maqis, is committed to carrying out its social responsibility to help and provide contributions to any department or agency in need, such as zoos and prisons, where the confiscated items would be used as a source of food for the inmates’ catfish-breeding rehabilitation project in prisons, as well as a source of food for animals in zoos and wildlife conservation centres,” he said. – Bernama, July 13, 2021
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