Malaysia freezes Thai chicken imports

According to the Bernama news agency, Malaysia's agriculture and agro-based industry ministry on Friday froze the issue of permits for import of whole chicken and chicken parts from Thailand with immediate effect.

Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the move was a precautionary measure following the spread of bird flu or the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Southeast Asia.

"Malaysia has imported 769 tonnes of chicken from the country for the period between September and November this year," Bernama quoted him as saying.

Mustapa said the situation in Malaysia was under control, with no report on HPAI received 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 chicken into the country.

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

Last Monday, the World Organisation for Animal Health reported a bird-flu outbreak in Sukhothai.