Singapore lifts ban on Malaysian poultry

The ban, which was enforced more than three months ago because of bird flu cases in Malaysia, will be lifted on June 30.


The Singapore Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) says it has visited both Malaysian states and is satisfied with measures put in place to keep out avian influenza.


Authorities from both countries have also agreed to step up pre-export testing and checks on accredited farms to minimise the risk of infected poultry entering Singapore.


Malaysia was declared free from bird flu on June 22.


With the lifting of the ban, AVA says some 37 duck farms in Perak will resume exports to Singapore.


But the Poultry Merchants' Association expects it could take about six months before supply stabilises.


Singapore consumes nearly 15,000 tonnes of duck meat and more than one billion eggs per year. Three percent of the eggs come from Selangor and 80 percent of the ducks from Perak.