NUTRITIVE CONTENT OF ANIMAL FEEDSTUFFS (Complaints by farmers)

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he is aware of complaints by farmers of the poor nutritive content of certain feedstuffs for animals sold in Singapore, and what measures will be taken to stop the sale of such feedstuffs.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the complaints by farmers that feedstuffs for animals sold in Singapore are deficient in nutritive content, particularly when certain basic ingredients are in short supply or have increased in price. The Feedstuffs Ordinance was passed last year to rectify the position. There are over 20 factories producing feedstuffs for our livestock industries. While a few of them are well equipped to check the quality of their products, many of the smaller feedmills have no such facilities. Steps are being taken to establish a minimum standard for all feedstuffs, and as soon as this is decided upon, the Primary Production Department will take necessary action to ensure that this standard is complied with.

3.15 p.m.