“SAFETY AND RESILIENCE OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY”

1     I thank Dr Lim for his question on the safety and resilience of our food supply.

Food safety

2     Ensuring food safety is a key priority of AVA. Diseases such as the avian flu, and abuses such as the melamine contamination of milk in China, show clearly the need to remain vigilant, especially since most of our food is imported. In this regard, AVA will be establishing a dedicated Unit, to monitor for early signs of food safety threats. The Unit will undertake horizon scanning, to gather information from various targeted sources, such as the internet, open literature, news feeds, and networking with strategic partners, including key industry players. It will then carry out trend and impact analysis to determine a potential threat, and coordinate responses to such alerts. This will allow us to take pre-emptive, calibrated responses in line with our overall risk management philosophy. This Unit will work closely with its overseas counterparts, and partner regional and world organizations, such as WHO, OIE and European Commission, which allows rapid information-sharing to respond to potential health threats.

Resilience of Food Supply

3     The sharp price inflation last year also showed the volatility of the global food demand and supply situation.

4     As a small country, diversifying food imports remains an important strategy. We will strengthen our diversification efforts and consider other complementary strategies, such as encouraging and supporting our companies in investing in agriculture businesses overseas.

Developing the Agriculture Industry

5     Dr Lim also raised the idea of developing our agriculture industry to provide food and employment for Singaporeans in this economic downturn. Given our land scarcity, we need to consider this carefully. We have to ask ourselves whether it is better and cheaper and easier to grow our own, or buy from overseas. In some cases it is, in others not so.

6     For example, local egg production has proven to be valuable, as our shell egg supply is not well diversified. The aquaculture industry is another example, to reduce our reliance on wild catch. AVA has invested in high-value upstream technology to produce robust fish frys, which is the weakest link in food fish production. Growing-out of frys can then be carried out in nearby waters. I am pleased to say we have achieved some success with our R&D, such as the “super seabass” which fed our market last year.

Preventing Avian Flu

7     Mr Charles Chong asked about our safeguard against the incursion of avian flu. Avian flu is endemic in this region, and its recent resurgence in China, Vietnam and Indonesia is a stark reminder of this. Although the WHO has assessed that there is no risk of a full-blown epidemic across Asia like we have seen previously, AVA will remain vigilant, and continue to enforce and review our multi-layered defences. Our safeguards include importing poultry only from HPAI-free countries or zones, and enhancing biosecurity measures and disease surveillance at our local establishments.

Conclusion

8     Sir, the task of balancing food safety and supply has become more challenging. We will continue to work with the industry to achieve a resilient supply of safe food at affordable prices for our people.

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