Dr. TanDY
Joined: 02 Nov 2005
Posts: 1345
Location: Selangor, Malaysia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:12 am Post subject: Malaysia's Imports Of US Beef Seen Back To Normal In 6-Month |
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Malaysia's Imports Of US Beef Seen Back To Normal In Six Months
Source: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 Asia Pulse - Malaysia's imports of US beef and beef products are expected to return to pre-import ban's 800 to 1,000 tonnes per year within six months, said US Embassy agricultural counsellor for Malaysia and Singapore, Jonathan Gressel.
He said the first shipments of the US beef were expected by end-July with the initial 20 to 30 tonnes.
"We hope to be able to return to the normal level within six months from the first shipment. By early August, consumers can find the US beef and beef products in local retail chain," he told reporters at a media briefing here Monday.
Also present was US Ambassador to Malaysia, Christopher J. LaFleur.
Malaysia, which lifted the ban on US beef and beef products in March, has reopened its market to American boneless beef and beef products from animals under 30 months of age.
Malaysia imposed the ban in December 2003 due to the mad cow disease.
"Before the ban, the US exported US$1.9 million worth of beef and beef products to Malaysia.
Gressel said the US also would like to have more of its plants certified by Jakim (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) for halal certification and the Department of Veterinary Services for food safety this year.
"Hopefully, we can get more of our plants certified by them," he said.
"Currently, only two plants -- Strauss Veal & Lamb International Inc in Wisconsin and JF O'Neill Packing Co Inc in Nebraska -- had been certified by the two Malaysian authorities.
(BERNAMA-OANA) |
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