Conditions for the Importation of Deboned Meat from South American Countries

CONDITIONS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DEBONED MEAT FROM SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES 1 Source of cattle for slaughter 1.1 All animals should come from holding yards certified by a compentend government veterinary authority of the exporting country to be healthy and free from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Rinderpest and Anthrax; such animals should have been resident on the holding yards for a period of not less than 3 months. 2 Approved abatoir 2.1 Slaughter should be carried out at the approved abattoir. 3 Procedures to be adopted at the approved abattoir 3.1 Animals for salughter should be examined daily from FMD and other infectious and contagious disease. 3.2 Feed for animals in the holding yards should be obtained from FMD-free areas. 3.3 The entire consignment for export to Malaysia at the abattoir holding yards must be rejected in the event that FMD or Rinderpest is detected. Reintroduction of animals for the purpose of export to Malaysia should only be undertaken after thorough disinfection of the holding yards under the supervision of competent veterinary authorities of the exporting country and not less than two weeks after disinfection has been completed. 3.4 All animals slaughtered should be subjected to detail post-mortem inspection in accordance to meat inspection procedures. 3.5 In the event that FMD is detected during meat inspection entire consignment for export to Malaysia must be rejected followed by disinfection of the abattoir and holding yards under the supervision of conpetent veterinary authorities of the exporting country. 3.6 All carcasses should be eviscerated, dressed and held at a temperature of 2-10 C for a minimum period of twenty four hours at the approved abattoir or Cold Storage before the meat is processed, chilled or frozen for export to Malaysia. 3.7 The carcases should be deboned at an approved processing plant under sanitary conditions; all lymph nodes and diaphrgam must be excluded. 3.8 The meat should not be treated with any preservative, colouring matter or other foreign substances. 3.9 The deboned meat must be packed hygenically and stored under sanitary conditions. 4 Transportation of deboned meat 4.1 The consignment should be accompanied by the following documents: 4.1.1 A certificate certifying that the animals in the holding yards are healthy and free from Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest and Anthrax. 4.1.2 A meat inspection certificate certifying that the meat has been derived from animals subjected to ante-mortem and post-mortem examinationd and had been found to be free from infectious and contagious disease adn that the meat is fit for human cansumption and that every precaution had been taken to prevent contamination or treatment with preservative, colouring matter or other foreign substance prior to export. 4.1.3 A certificate certifying that the carcase has been deboned at an approved processing plant under sanitary conditions and that all lymph nodes and diaphragm have been excluded. 4.1.4 A certificate certifying thet the slaughter of animals has been done according to Muslim rites and that all slaughtering, chilling, processing, transportation and all other acts in connection with handling and consignment of the meat has been done sepsrated from the other species of animals. 4.2 The vehicle/container used for the transportation of the deboned meat must be in hygienic condition and refrigerated. 4.3 Transportation should be directed to an approved destination through the International Port or Airport of the exporting country. 5 Surrender of official documents in Malaysia All official documents required under this importation must be surrendered to the Director of State Veterinary Services on behalf of the Director General on arrival in Malaysia. 6 Other conditions 6.1 The premises shall be subjected to inspection by the Department of Veterinary Services. 6.2 All animals should be slaughtered according to Muslim rites and all slaughtering, chilling, processing, transportation and all other acts in connection with the handling and consignment of this meat must be done separated from the other species of animals. Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, MALAYSIA. (Empowered Under Section 8 of Animals Rules, 1962)