Sheep Supply For Korban

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether the AVA and Singapore Mosques Korban Committee (JKMS) are exploring the possibility of allowing sheep supply from Malaysia and Indonesia in an eventuality when Australia is no longer able to supply sheep to Singapore; (b) why is the current supply of sheep for Korban not acquired from our neighbouring countries, namely Malaysia and Indonesia; (c) what are AVA's criteria or guidelines for the accreditation of a sheep supplier; and (d) what is the breakdown of the cost for each sheep which currently stands at $460.

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A committee comprising representatives from MCCY, MUIS, the Singapore Mosques Korban Committee (JKMS) and AVA will be formed to review the supply of livestock for Korban in Singapore. They will explore diversifying the source of sheep, including from Indonesia and Malaysia, in the event that Australia is no longer able to supply sheep to Singapore.

All livestock imported into Singapore must meet the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore's (AVA) animal health and veterinary public health requirements.

AVA's accreditation process involves evaluating the country's animal health and veterinary public health systems and the management of the proposed export farm. Considerations include freedom from important infectious diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans, as well as food safety hazards transmissible in the meat. These requirements minimise the risks of diseases coming into Singapore and potential food safety hazards in meat distributed for consumption.

Livestock from Australia and New Zealand are assessed by AVA as meeting these requirements. We have yet to find suitable sources for live sheep from neighbouring countries which meet AVA's requirements, but will continue to explore such sources.

The Member has also asked for a price breakdown of the sheep. There are several variable costs involved, including the farm price of the animal, airfreight cost, cargo handling charges at the airport, land transport cost, permit for slaughtering and also the logistics for Korban at mosques. Compared to last year's cost per animal, the increase this year was $21.50 or about 5% more. This is notwithstanding the additional efforts and resources needed to meet the new Australian requirements like audit fees, and additional fixtures and equipment at the Korban centres.

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