PASIR MAS (Bernama): The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) has contributed 120 tonnes of seized imported agricultural products worth RM2.1mil as animal feed to departments and agencies from January to August this year.

       Deputy Minister II Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said the contribution was distributed by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Malaysia (Maqis) through the Mafi Prihatin programme.

       “The products seized were imported agricultural items which have undergone the legal process and had been stripped of ownership for violations,” he told a press conference after an Animal Food Supply Handover Programme at the Kelantan Maqis office in Rantau Panjang here on Sunday (Sept 5).

       Commenting on the programme, Nik Zawawi said 11 tonnes of animal products such as frozen chicken, meat and sausages worth RM87,000 were distributed to departments and agencies in need of such items.

       “The contributions were distributed to Taiping Zoo; the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak; the Royal Kelantan Endurance Stable; and other relevant organisations.

       “This was to ensure an adequate supply of animal feed to the Taiping Zoo and rescue centre.

       “Some of the items were also used as raw materials for catfish feed under a convict rehabilitation programme by the Malaysian Prisons Department,” he said.

       He said the ministry, through Maqis, would continue to be committed and firm in conducting enforcement on agricultural product imports especially those involving chicken and meat. – Bernama