KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 — The Malaysia-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) helps to ensure national food security, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Ghani.
Johari pointed out that although the government is working on developing the agricultural and fisheries sectors, Malaysia is still a net importer of agricultural and fisheries products.
“Therefore, the opening of markets for the agricultural and fisheries industries, including through ART, is intended to ensure that national food security remains safeguarded, particularly in ensuring an adequate supply of food at affordable prices for the people,” said Johari in a written Dewan Rakyat reply to Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) yesterday.
“Agricultural and fisheries products imported under ART must still comply with or be granted approval under sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures at the same level as internationally recognised standards.
“The role of national regulatory authorities in ensuring food safety is maintained under the ART. Enforcement actions, such as preventing entry into the country, may still be taken against products suspected of posing risks to public safety and health.”
Under ART, Malaysia must recognise US food safety and SPS systems for meat, poultry, dairy, and certain agricultural products, streamlining import eligibility by accepting US federal inspection directories and limiting additional approval requirements.
The Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (Mavma) previously warned that the trade pact risked undermining Malaysia’s veterinary authority and control over food safety, biosecurity, and halal standards, due to a requirement for automatic recognition of American food safety systems.
The Malaysian Embassy in Washington DC said Tuesday, after a courtesy call by an Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) delegation led by secretary-general Isham Ishak, that the KPKM delegation was currently on a working visit to relevant agricultural authorities in the US “to further the domestic processes towards the implementation” of ART.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu has also defended the trade pact as a supplement to Malaysia’s agri-food sector.
In a written Dewan Rakyat reply to Bakri Jamaluddin (PN-Tangga Batu) last Tuesday, he cited imports of American agricultural products that have limited or seasonal domestic production, such as dairy products, animal feed, and grains.
“From the perspective of food security, the diversification of supply sources helps reduce the risk of supply disruptions and supports the development of the agri-food industry without compromising the interests of local producers.”
