Industry News

Malaysia's veterinary department has suspended beef and lamb imports from suppliers in Australia due to halal concerns.

Information from the Veterinary Department shows that they conducted an audit in May: "Due to halal issues, the import of goods from three Australian suppliers has been suspended. These companies have halal certificates, but during the recent audit, our auditor Jakim found some non-compliance with Malaysia's halal standards, which led to the suspension of imports."

A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Agriculture stated that the Malaysian Veterinary Department updated its website on August 18th with a list of companies that have passed inspections exporting meat products to Malaysia. The list shows that three Australian meat export companies have been suspended, related to a review in May. The department is working closely with the Malaysian Veterinary Department to address the issues identified in the review and will lift the suspension once Malaysia is satisfied.

Without naming the companies suspended, the spokesman said: "This issue is commercially sensitive and when changes occur in a particular market, the department works directly with the affected institutions and regulators in overseas markets to resolve the issue as early as possible."

Newspaper sources said Thomas Foods International, one of Australia's largest exporters of beef and lamb, was one of the manufacturers involved.

Thomas Foods International's chief operating officer, David McKay, said the company had not yet fully understood the reasons for the suspension, the weekly reported.

He added that Thomas Foods International hopes to have access to the Malaysian market again by early October.

“We can’t do anything (on the reason for the suspension) until we see the final report (from Malaysian officials)... but we understand Malaysia will review it at the beginning of the month,” McKay said.

Malaysia was the tenth largest destination in terms of beef exports in the 12 months to August.