IMPORT PERMIT OF CHICKEN FROM THAILAND FROZEN

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Agrioculture and Agrobased Industry
Ministry Friday froze the issuing of permits for import of whole chicken and
chicken parts from Thailand with immediate effect.

Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the move
was taken as a precautionary measure following the spread of the bird flu or the
highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)in the South East Asia region.

"Malaysia has imported 769 tonnes of chicken from the country for the
period between September and November this year," he told reporters after
closing the Third Country Training Programme on HPAI here Friday.

Mustapa said the situation in the country was under control, with no report
on the HPAI received by the Veterinary Service Department so far, and advised
the public not to worry.

With the freezing of the permit, he said checks at the entry points along
the border would be stepped up to prevent smuggling of the chicken into the
country.

He said the move would however not affect the supply of chicken in the
country.

On Monday, the World Organisation for Animal Health reported a bird flu
outbreak in Sokhotai, Thailand.
-- BERNAMA