THE Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development is looking into the proposed establishment of Sarawak Quarantine and Inspection Services (SAQIS).
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom said that this agency would consolidate the biosecurity responsibilities of the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), the Department of Agriculture (DOA), and the Department of Marine Fisheries at various Immigration, Custom, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complexes, sea ports, airports entry points, and border posts in Sarawak.
“SAQIS is a similar agency to Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) Malaysia,” said Dr Rundi during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
According to him, the establishment of SAQIS is aimed at bolstering the first line of defense, as it will safeguard the overall health of communities and ensure the disease-free status of animals, such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), African Swine Fever (ASF), and Rabies. Additionally, it will address concerns related to food security.
Regarding fish biosecurity, the ministry has outlined plans to develop a dedicated fish biosecurity centre. It will play a crucial role in preserving the quality and safety of fish products within the industry, particularly in terms of import and export activities.
“In 2017, Sarawak faced an outbreak of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), resulting in a significant decline in the local aquaculture industry and adversely affecting major stakeholders and investors,” Dr Rundi said.
He also said that the Department of Agriculture (DOA) will continue to ensure compliance with biosecurity and safety guidelines among fish farm operators.
For the year 2023, the DOA has been allocated RM80,000 for this purpose. However, an additional funding of RM2.1 million is required to upgrade the Fishery Station at Rambungan, Kuching, into a fully functional Fish Biosecurity Centre.
