Malaysia bans EU beef imports on "mad cow" fears

Malaysia bans EU beef imports on "mad cow" fears
REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR, JAN 12: Malaysia has banned the import of all beef products from the European Union (EU) and ordered the withdrawal of those foods from retail shelfs to protect against the deadly mad cow disease.

Health Minister Chua Jui Meng was quoted as saying in local newpapers on Friday that the ban was a precautionary measure to safeguard public health.

"The imposition of the ban followed advice from the World Health Organisation to all countries to initiate immediate measures to curb the spread of the mad cow disease," Chua was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times.

A Ministry of Health officer confirmed to Reuters the minister made the remarks and that a task force had been set up to advise the cabinet on monitoring and remedial measures.

"It (the ban) is an ongoing thing since January 1 and the cabinet gave its blessing on Thursday," the officer added.

Malaysia imported some 2.5 million ringgit worth of beef and beef products from Europe between January and September last year, amounting to 0.63 percent of its RM400 million total import Bill on beef products.

The 15 EU member countries and Switzerland are covered by the ban.

Chua said beef imports from major sellers India, Australia and New Zealand remained safe for consumption.

Mad cow disease is a fatal brain-wasting condition formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

BSE has been linked to the fatal new variantCreutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which has killed more than 80 people in Britain and two in France since 1996.

Chua said the ban would remain in place until further instruction from the World Health Organisation.

The task force, he said, would work to ensure all EU beef and beef products were withdrawn from shelfs and to curb illegal imports.