Bird's nest: Special standard for export to China ready in 6 months

KUALA LUMPUR: A special standard for the export of bird's nest products to China is expected to be ready in six months, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (pix).
He said the standard would facilitate the direct export of bird's nest products to China following negotiations during the visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to the republic in November.
"The Veterinary Services Department has been entrusted with ensuring bird's nest products meet 35 conditions set by China before the products can be sent there," he said at the Ministers' Question Time session at the Dewan Rakyat here today.
He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Shamsul Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) on the measures taken by the government to ensure bird's nest products exported to China are safe.
Ahmad Shabery said the special standard would ensure the products are not rejected by the China market as happened four years ago when ingredients unsafe for human consumption were found.
He said bird's nest producers are also not encouraged to process the commodity themselves as the cleaning process is very difficult and the conditions set by China are stringent.
"The process requires special places such as factories that are certified by them.
"We know the work is difficult, such as taking eight hours in a day to remove the feathers," he said, adding there are currently 20,000 bird's nest producers in the country. — Bernama