ID :
23907
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 11:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23907
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA TO ENFORCE GRADING SYSTEM FOR GREENS STARTING APRIL 2009
BANGKOK, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Vegetables and fruits sold in Malaysia, including those imported must conform to grading, packaging and labelling guidelines from April next year.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the
all greens would stringent tests by the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority
(FAMA) and Malaysian Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Services.
He added that the ministry would enforce FAMA's guidelines on grading,
packaging and labelling of agriculture produce to ensure such products were safe
for consumption.
"The guidelines will encompass cleanliness and tracebility. For example,
if longgan fruits are sold, details of where it was planted, must be listed or
in the case of fish or shrimps, where it was caught or the boat or vessel that
was used and whether antibiotics were used, must be recorded," he told reporters
after a working visit to Thailand.
According to Mustapa, it was in accordance with international requirements
and request from consumers to know the origin of products that they consume,
especially after reports of potentially harmful pesticide residues used,
including melamine, traced in milk powder and vegetables from China.
Mustapa said his ministry was in the process of providing information to
exporters and importers and the governments of countries exporting fruits and
vegetables to Malaysia.
He said Malaysia's proposed guidelines were also put forward to his Thai
counterpart Somsak Prisanananthakul during their meeting here.
Malaysia imports vegetables and fruits worth US$145 million (RM493 million)
and US$126 million (RM428 million) a year respectively from Thailand and US$750
million (RM2.55 billion) worth of vegetables a year, from China.
"Most of the problems involving quality of greens imported arise from
products imported from Thailand and Indonesia but products imported from
developed countries like Australia or Europe have no problems with grading,
packaging or labelling," he said.
He added that his visit to Thailand would help Malaysia learn the
initiatives adopted by Charoen Pokpan (CP) and Saha Group, two companies in
Thailand that have world class research and technology facilities, to develop
the agro-based industry.
"CP has the technology to reduce the maturity period of shrimps from 120
days to 80 days which is a 45 per cent gain," he said.
Thailand, with a motto "Kitchen of the World", are now ranked among the
leading producers of agriculture and agro-based products and the world leader in
the production of rice, longgan, durian, pineapples and rubber.
Mustapa added that the ministry was now in the process of reviewing
Agricultural Policy to cater for the rapid changes and current demand, with
emphasis on food security, competitiveness and ways to increase income of
farmers.
"The third National Agricultural Policy (1998-2010) was drafted 10 years
ago
and since times have changed rapidly, we need to review it for the 10th Malaysia
Plan which is aimed at becoming a developed nation by 2020," he said.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the
all greens would stringent tests by the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority
(FAMA) and Malaysian Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Services.
He added that the ministry would enforce FAMA's guidelines on grading,
packaging and labelling of agriculture produce to ensure such products were safe
for consumption.
"The guidelines will encompass cleanliness and tracebility. For example,
if longgan fruits are sold, details of where it was planted, must be listed or
in the case of fish or shrimps, where it was caught or the boat or vessel that
was used and whether antibiotics were used, must be recorded," he told reporters
after a working visit to Thailand.
According to Mustapa, it was in accordance with international requirements
and request from consumers to know the origin of products that they consume,
especially after reports of potentially harmful pesticide residues used,
including melamine, traced in milk powder and vegetables from China.
Mustapa said his ministry was in the process of providing information to
exporters and importers and the governments of countries exporting fruits and
vegetables to Malaysia.
He said Malaysia's proposed guidelines were also put forward to his Thai
counterpart Somsak Prisanananthakul during their meeting here.
Malaysia imports vegetables and fruits worth US$145 million (RM493 million)
and US$126 million (RM428 million) a year respectively from Thailand and US$750
million (RM2.55 billion) worth of vegetables a year, from China.
"Most of the problems involving quality of greens imported arise from
products imported from Thailand and Indonesia but products imported from
developed countries like Australia or Europe have no problems with grading,
packaging or labelling," he said.
He added that his visit to Thailand would help Malaysia learn the
initiatives adopted by Charoen Pokpan (CP) and Saha Group, two companies in
Thailand that have world class research and technology facilities, to develop
the agro-based industry.
"CP has the technology to reduce the maturity period of shrimps from 120
days to 80 days which is a 45 per cent gain," he said.
Thailand, with a motto "Kitchen of the World", are now ranked among the
leading producers of agriculture and agro-based products and the world leader in
the production of rice, longgan, durian, pineapples and rubber.
Mustapa added that the ministry was now in the process of reviewing
Agricultural Policy to cater for the rapid changes and current demand, with
emphasis on food security, competitiveness and ways to increase income of
farmers.
"The third National Agricultural Policy (1998-2010) was drafted 10 years
ago
and since times have changed rapidly, we need to review it for the 10th Malaysia
Plan which is aimed at becoming a developed nation by 2020," he said.
