KUALA LUMPUR – Veterinary Services Department (DVS) confirmed yesterday that samples of buffalo meat imported from India from January to July tested negative for the Covid-19 virus.
According to DVS, it implemented a monitoring and surveillance programme ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began last year.
“From January to July, 455 samples in total from locally produced and imported animals and animal-based products including buffalo meat from India were collected and tested negative for Covid-19. As there was no virus detected in the buffalo meat, DVS will not impose an import restriction on Indian frozen buffalo meat,” DVS told Bernama in an email reply yesterday.
DVS also has a system in place for the approval of frozen meat import which also includes Indian buffalo meat.
The department advised the public not to worry about the safety of imported frozen buffalo meat as it is sourced from approved slaughterhouses by the Malaysian government. The meat plants are fully monitored by the exporting country’s authorities. – Bernama, August 5, 2021
