M’sia yet to decide on import of US poultry after 2022 ban, says report

FMT:

 

M’sia yet to decide on

import of US poultry after

2022 ban, says report

FMT Reporters

-02 Apr 2025, 11:50 PM

The 2025 National Trade Estimate Report says the regionalisation arrangement will allow for resumption of trade when any poultry disease outbreak in a region has been brought under control.

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Malaysia had banned US poultry products in June 2022 over concerns about an avian flu outbreak. (AFP pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Malaysia has not made any decision on a proposed regionalisation arrangement that was mooted after the country banned all live poultry and poultry products from the US, a newly released report reveals.

Malaysia had banned these products in June 2022 over concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to a report by the US trade representative.

However, in December 2022, the US agriculture animal and plant health inspection service department (Aphis) proposed a regionalisation arrangement, which would limit suspension of poultry trade to those areas affected by HPAI.

The report said this regionalisation arrangement would also allow for resumption of trade when the outbreak in an area was brought under control.

“Aphis subsequently provided additional information about its HPAI control programmes at the request of the Malaysian veterinary services department.

“But to date, Malaysia has not completed internal decision-making to begin discussion on a regionalisation arrangement,” the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report, released on March 31, read.

On a separate matter, the report also highlighted US concerns that Malaysia’s “narrow definition” of what constituted an alcoholic beverage would result in the ban of some American beverages in the country.

According to the report, alcoholic beverages under Malaysia’s Food Regulations 1985 are defined in a way “that did not provide for the sale of new products that do not fit neatly within certain defined product categories”.

As a result, Malaysia prohibits the importation of products that do not meet these defined categories.

“The US is concerned that its malt-based and spirit-based ready-to-drink products are not permitted in Malaysia, even though similar wine-based beverages are allowed.”

However, it said the US continued to engage with Malaysia on its regulations for alcoholic beverage products, including its potentially trade-restricting definitions for alcoholic beverages.