Govt studying need to list imported eggs as controlled items

 

The government is looking into the need to list imported eggs as controlled items, among other measures, to ensure their prices remain affordable.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) secretary-general Haslina Abdul Hamid said the ministry was discussing the matter with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

It follows the temporary approval by MAFS on Dec 16 to bring in eggs from foreign sources to overcome the lack of egg supply the country has been facing for the past few months.

"The eggs brought in from abroad are (indeed) a little small (in size), but now the role of the ministry (MAFS) is to deal with the supply issue and ensure eggs are readily available.

"We will also ensure that the imported eggs are of good quality," she told reporters after attending the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) Food Kit Distribution Programme and Chicken Egg Distribution Intervention at the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) headquarters in Selayang today.

Earlier, Haslina inspected the preparation of Fama to supply 62,500 food and egg kits to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), which will be distributed to flood victims in the East Coast states.

Government to help affected groups

She said the distribution complemented the government's desire to increase supply in helping the affected groups.

"We are increasing the supply chain to areas that we have identified as short in egg supply. In fact, we are increasing the amount to be sent to Kelantan and Terengganu.

"Apart from Nadma, the distribution also involves collaboration with the National Farmers Organisation and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force to ensure the supply remains smooth," she said.

In the meantime, Fama director-general Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli said the egg distribution programme involved the cooperation of seven companies.

- Bernama