PETALING JAYA: There were no public funds used for the import of eggs from India, says the agriculture and food security ministry.
The ministry said the company which was awarded the contract was also not given any subsidies, such as those enjoyed by local producers.
“Any cost and risks to import the eggs is borne solely by the importer and no public funds were used,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The permission to import eggs can be terminated at any time when the supply is stable.”
The ministry also said the eggs imported by J&E Advance Tech (J&E) were safe, clean and free from disease.
“The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) and the veterinary department (DVS) controlled the entry of the eggs via a hold, test and release method whereby a PCR test was conducted to test for salmonella, Newcastle disease and Avian influenza.
“To date, no imported eggs have failed this test,” it said.
Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said J&E is the only company that had been given the green light to import eggs from India.
The decision to import eggs from India was made following a shortage in the supply of local eggs due to a drop in production from October to December last year.
Mohamad also said the ministry is committed to ensuring that the country’s egg supply recovers to pre-pandemic levels, adding that it was in talks with local egg producers who have promised to “flood” the market with the supply of eggs ahead of the Aidilfitri celebrations.