Malaysia signs halal meat agreement with NZ

New Zealand's meat export market is set grow after Malaysia this week agreed to a halal standards agreement.

New Zealand's meat trade with Malaysia has been restricted since 2005, when Malaysian auditors delisted many New Zealand beef plants for export for failing to fully comply with Malaysia's new halal standards.

However, the new agreement, which sets out how New Zealand will meet Malaysia's halal requirements, is expected to reopen the market.

"This has been a long-standing issue and I am very pleased that we have been able to work with Malaysia to find a path that will improve access for our meat exporters," Trade Minister Tim Groser said today.

"The value of New Zealand meat exports to Malaysia fell from $76 million in 2004 to $26.5 million in 2006. This arrangement will help place the trade on a more robust footing, and enable our exports to Malaysia to grow."

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson also welcomed the news, saying food safety officials had worked hard to show that the country's meat met Malaysia's halal requirements.

"In February this year we introduced standards of halal certification and this has provided assurance to importing countries like Malaysia that halal certified product from New Zealand is of the highest standard."

The arrangement reconciles Malaysia's halal laws with New Zealand's animal welfare requirements, including that all halal meat comes from animals that have been stunned prior to slaughter.