SINGAPORE BANS EGGS AND POULTRY PRODUCTS FROM MALAYSIA'S

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 001120 SIPDIS USDA FAS FOR OSTA MANILA FOR APHIS AREA DIRECTOR JAKARTA FOR APHIS BANGKOK FOR APHIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU EAGR TBIO ETRD ECON SN MY SUBJECT: SINGAPORE BANS EGGS AND POULTRY PRODUCTS FROM MALAYSIA'S SELANGOR STATE REF: A) KUALA LUMPUR 995 B) 06 SINGAPORE 539 ¶1. Singapore banned all imports of live poultry, fresh poultry products, and eggs originating from Malaysia's Selangor State on June 6 after the GOM announced an outbreak of avian influenza (AI) (ref A). The ban does not affect imports from Malaysia's other states nor does it affect heat-treated poultry products. These measures are in accord with OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) guidelines. As a precautionary measure, Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has increased surveillance and inspections at the country's entry points and at domestic poultry farms and slaughterhouses. AVA imposed a similar AI-related ban on Selangor's poultry and eggs from February 20 to June 28, 2006 (ref B). ¶2. The media reports prices have increased one cent per egg since the ban was announced, but factors other than the AI outbreak, such as rising feed costs, may be to blame for the rise. Singapore imports over three million live birds and over eighty million eggs from Malaysia each month, according to AVA. However, the ban's effect on the egg and poultry market should be minimal, given that 94 percent of eggs and 99 percent of poultry imported from Malaysia originate from currently AI-free states. ¶3. Comment: Eggs (not to mention poultry) are a staple of the Singaporean diet, with more than three million consumed every day. If AI outbreaks occur in other Malaysian states, the effect on local prices and availability would be substantial. Singapore and Malaysia have previously discussed, but not finalized, a compartmentalization scheme which might allow imports from these states to continue. Post will continue to closely monitor and report on the situation. End comment. HERBOLD