Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has launched a dedicated task force to manage the import and export of fish and fish products. This initiative is intended to enhance inter-agency coordination and reinforce regulatory oversight of Malaysia’s aquaculture industry.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the task force’s primary goal is to tackle export restrictions faced by Malaysia, particularly concerning Thailand. This neighboring country has enforced stricter sanitary and phytosanitary standards due to breaches in antibiotic limits. Since March 1, 2024, Thailand has intensified import regulations for chilled seabass from Malaysia, mandating rigorous inspections and requiring a valid Certificate of Analysis (COA) for all shipments since April of the previous year.

Although fish export activities continue, the need for re-sampling at entry points and adherence to health certificates for marine sources has disrupted the seamless export of Malaysian fish to Thailand. The minister also highlighted that several Malaysian farms and cages have achieved Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) certification, notably 36 in Penang, seven in Perak, and three in Kedah. These certified locations are reportedly not experiencing export difficulties with Thailand.