JOHOR BARU: Local poultry breeders will face another problem if the export of live chicken is banned.

       Johor Poultry Breeders (Small and Medium) Association secretary Lau Ka Leng said the ban was only a stop-gap measure by the government in addressing the chicken shortage in the country but could affect poultry breeders in the future.

       “We will lose out in the long run as Singapore could be looking at other nearby countries to replace chicken from Malaysia,” he said when contacted here yesterday.

       Lau cited a similar move was made by Malaysia when it put a temporary ban on the export of eggs during the movement control order period.

       He said during that period, there was a shortage of eggs in the local market where the government decided to ban export of eggs to meet local demand.

       “Prior to the ban, we exported about four million eggs a month to Singapore.

       “When the ban was lifted, we found that Singapore reduced its import by half which had caused a surplus of eggs here,” he said.

       Lau feared the country could see a surplus of chicken once the number of the birds stabilised in the local market as Singapore may reduce its import of chicken from Malaysia, resulting in losses for local poultry breeders.

       Beginning June 1, the export of chickens – now numbering 3.6 million a month – will be stopped until the price and supply stabilise.

       The requirement of an AP to import whole standard chicken and chicken parts has been abolished.