Fama Act amendments to be tabled in Parliament

KUCHING: Amendments to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Act 1965 to enable it to manage the marketing of livestock commodities will be tabled in Parliament in July, said Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.

He said the amendments would also allow Fama to play an effective role in stabilising the supply of livestock commodities.

“At the moment there are no specific agencies tasked with livestock marketing activities,” he said at a media conference after opening the national-level Semarak Syawal programme at Medan Niaga Satok yesterday.

Ronald said Fama will also have a role to ensure that the local food supply chain is not disrupted.

The agency is empowered by the Fama Act to supervise, coordinate, regulate and develop the marketing of Malaysian agricultural commodities except pineapple, rubber, oil palm, padi, rice, tobacco and cocoa products.

On the supply of essential goods for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, Ronald said the ministry would ensure that there would be no shortage.

“Consumers will not have any problems getting essentials like meat, chicken, vegetables and coconuts as departments and agencies under the ministry have made early preparations to ensure continuity in supplies.”

Fama director-general Datuk Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli said the Semarak Syawal programme will be held simultaneously at farmers’ markets throughout the country until May 2.

“This year, enterprises under Fama such as Agrobazaar and Kedai Rakyat are also participating in the programme to enable consumers to get supplies throughout Aidilfitri.”

A total of 15,391 entrepreneurs are expected to generate sales totalling RM25 million through the 797 outlets taking part in the

programme. – Bernama