SUPPLY OF LIVE PIGS AND PORK

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Primary Production Department has secured sources of regular supply of pork to Singapore in the future when all the pig farms are gone by the end of 1989; (b) where these sources are; and (c) whether his Ministry will mount a new "Eat Frozen Pork" campaign in the near future.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, in anticipation of the phasing out of pig farming in Singapore by 1989, the Primary Production Department has been actively accrediting more sources of supply of live pigs and pork.

73 pig farms in Malaysia, 17 pig farms in Thailand and 8 pig farms in Indonesia are currently approved by the Primary Production Department to export live pigs to Singapore. These farms have a combined capacity to supply 1.2 million live pigs a year. This is more than adequate to meet our demand of one million live pigs a year.

PPD has also approved the import of frozen pork from 17 countries. This includes China and several European countries. Notwithstanding the above, PPD will continue its efforts in exploring and identifying new supply sources for live pigs and frozen pork.

To ensure that the live pigs and pork imported into Singapore are wholesome and safe for human consumption, PPD has to inspect and be satisfied that the pig farm or the slaughter house meets the required food hygiene standards before being allowed to export live pigs or pork to Singapore. The pigs and pork are also inspected at the point of entry.

The consumption of frozen pork has been low over the years as there is an adequate supply of live pigs. Fresh pork is available at relatively low and stable prices. In 1987, our consumption of frozen pork was about 6,450 tonnes or 8.4% of the total pork consumption. Both fresh and frozen pork are readily available in the market. The choice to buy either frozen or fresh pork can be left to consumers. My Ministry has no plan to mount a campaign to encourage the consumption of frozen pork.