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in
all that we do...
Annual Report
2012
2013
… It’s essentially about
14 | Food Supply Resilience
22 | Food Safety
40 | Animal Health and welfare
56 | Plant Health
66 | Agrotechnology
80 | Agri-Trade
90 | Organisational Excellence
vision
awards & accolades
Safe food, healthy animals and plants for
ISO/iec 17025 SAC-SINGLAS ACCREDITATION AWARD
Singapore; trusted and respected globally.
mission
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Ensure a resilient supply of safe food;
Ensure the health & safeguard the welfare of
animals;
Safeguard the health of plants;
Facilitate agri-trade; and
Nurture and inspire staff to be the best we
can be!
Awarded to:
Animal Health Laboratory
since January 2006, with three new tests
accredited in FY 2012
Plant Health Laboratory
since June 2006, with two new tests
accredited in FY 2012
Veterinary Public Health Laboratory
since 2000, with 10 new tests accredited in
FY 2012
values (ExCITe)
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER’S
AWARD (TEAM)
Excellence:
for “Spawning of Pompanos in Local Waters”
project
We strive to be the best in all that we do.
MERITORIOUS DEFENCE PARTNER AWARD
We seek lifelong learning and continuous
innovation.
for Total Defence Award 2012
Care:
We value and nurture our staff.
We care for the community and the environment.
Integrity:
We serve with professionalism.
We treat our customers fairly and honestly.
Teamwork:
We trust and respect each other.
We work as a team and partner our stakeholders
to achieve our goals.
SINGAPORE health award (platinum) 2012
share gold award 2012
10-year outstanding share award 2012
distinguished home team partner award
under the Home Team NS Award 2012
Ong teng cheong labour leadership institute’s
workplace partnership award 2012
received jointly with AUSBE
i n all t h at we do...
chairman's statement
AVA operates in a dynamic world and faces
challenges on many fronts. In this everchanging global environment, we have
to address international developments
related to food security, incidents of unsafe
food, as well as risks of diseases incursions
in animals and plants. At home, AVA must
continue to meet the rising expectations
of Singaporeans, and sustain their trust
in the way our policies are designed and
services are delivered.
Our Achievements for FY 2012
Throughout the Financial Year (FY) 2012, AVA’s on-going
vigilance, coupled with robust policies and programmes,
played a critical role in safeguarding public health.
Indeed, it is important for us to never lose track of our
mandate to ensure a resilient supply of safe food, protect
animal health and welfare, and safeguard plant health. I
am glad that we have done well and achieved a number
of significant milestones in the FY.
Securing Our Supply of Safe Food
The Jilin Food project holds great potential in securing
Singapore’s food supply. AVA has been advising Jilin City
authorities on the setting up of the Foot-and-Mouth
Disease-Free zone (DFZ) within the Singapore-Jilin Food
Zone. This project made good progress in FY 2012, and
I am proud to note that our collaboration has been a
critical success factor. With its integrated pig farm, the
Food Zone would provide an added source of safe and
high quality pork products for Singapore in time to come.
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ava annual r epor t 2012/13
Within Singapore, we played a role in accomplishing a
breakthrough in vegetable farming through the Vertical
Farming System (VFS). The VFS, with its low carbon
footprint and water re-use system, has the potential
to significantly boost the production of vegetables
locally. AVA has been assisting Sky Greens Pte Ltd to
commercialise the VFS, by providing technical expertise
in horticulture and plant health management. The
commercial vertical farm was opened on 24 October 2012
and this is an important development for Singapore.
While many countries around the world grapple with
food contamination and adulteration scandals, Singapore
continued to enjoy an undisrupted supply of safe and
wholesome food. This is because we did not let our guard
down and continued to improve our capabilities in the
area of food safety testing.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, (Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & National Development) officially opened the commercial vertical farm
on 24 October 2012.
Keeping Plant and Animal Diseases at Bay
AVA has also done well in keeping animal and plant
diseases out of Singapore. Nothing was taken for
granted, as we maintained a high level of vigilance.
AVA’s multi-layered defence against the avian
influenza, or more commonly known as bird flu, has
successfully protected Singapore against the risks
posed by the new H7N9 virus emerging in China.
During the FY, we continued to keep our defences
up by conducting an emergency exercise to test our
preparedness for an outbreak of bird flu.
Providing Better Service through Innovation and
Stakeholder Engagement
I am also heartened that AVA has placed greater
emphasis on innovation and stakeholder engagement
to better serve the public and create new solutions for
our customers.
also involved our stakeholders in designing solutions to
overcome common challenges. Although engagement
and collaboration has always been an important part
of our work, this FY saw the organisation further
embrace it. I have received positive feedback on how
AVA has become increasingly pro-business and flexible
in its approach to policy formulation and regulation,
as well as in improving business processes.
A case in point would be the encouraging comments
received from the food industry on AVA’s first session
on “Public Officers Working on Eliminating Red
Tape” or “POWER” in short. In this POWER session,
participants from the private sector were invited to
provide suggestions on how to improve the process of
obtaining food export certificates from AVA.
One of these innovative solutions leveraged on
AVA’s research and development (R&D) expertise in
aquaculture to successfully spawn pompanos in local
waters for the first time. This project won us the
Minister’s Award (Team) from the Ministry of National
Development (MND) in 2012.
In addition, we received several awards at the PS21
ExCEL Convention and from the Pro-Enterprise Panel
in recognition of our efforts in removing out-dated
rules, reducing compliance costs, and improving
business transaction processes.
On behalf of the AVA-industry project team, Ms Wee Joo Yong
from AVA received the Minister’s Award (Team) from Minister
for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan.
Our efforts in improving service delivery were not
confined to just what we could do by ourselves. We
av a an n ual r epo rt 2012/13
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Another notable effort by AVA in stakeholder
engagement is through our secretariat role in the Animal
Welfare Legislation Review Committee (AWLRC). Formed
to look into recommendations on how to improve animal
welfare legislation and collaboration in Singapore,
the committee comprised Members of Parliament,
representatives from the pet industry, animal welfare
groups, and veterinary profession, as well as community
leaders.
Ms Adelene Yap from AVA received the Best Pro-Enterprise Idea
Annual Bronze Award 2012 from Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State
for Trade & Industry.
Animal Welfare and Management
The multi-stakeholder collaboration and consultation
yielded 24 recommendations, which have been accepted
by the Minister for National Development. Starting
FY 2013, MND and AVA will be implementing these
recommendations. We will also work with stakeholders
to support the pet industry on the accreditation of pet
shops, dog breeders, and groomers.
When it comes to animal management, AVA also has to
take into consideration the diverse concerns and interests
of different stakeholders. Such issues also often require a
multi-agency approach for resolutions.
Moving forward, AVA will continue to engage our
stakeholders, as part of our organisational priority.
To provide the public with a one-stop contact point for
animal-related feedback, AVA took on the role as the
government’s First Responder in FY 2011. Since then, AVA’s
officers have been working closely with various agencies
to coordinate inputs and provide timely responses.
Take the example of food security, which is a
multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive, wholeof-government approach. As such, AVA has begun
engaging other public agencies, through the InterMinistry Committee on Food Security (IMCFS), to further
consolidate our efforts in keeping Singapore’s supply of
food secure and safe.
However, having AVA as a first responder is only a
downstream measure to make it easier and more
convenient for public affected by animal issues to seek
help. More importantly, we need a holistic approach that
can resolve upstream causes, such as lost and abandoned
pets, which add to the problem of stray animals. AVA will
be working with other agencies to address these causes.
Measures would include initiatives such as licensing of
pet dogs at source, and creating a pet microchip registry.
Gearing Up for our Future Food Supply
The IMCFS will be working a number of supporting and
enabling strategies such as food waste reduction, which
would effectively help to trim down our demand for
food. R&D will also be conducted to improve the postharvest handling of food and to test new technologies
that can extend the shelf life of food.
AVA Deputy CEO (Corporate & Technology), Mr Lee Kwong Weng (4th from right), led a delegation to Vietnam from 12 to 16 November 2012 to
gain a better understanding of the country’s fruit and vegetable production.
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For the coming FY, AVA will continue to focus on the
key strategy of diversifying Singapore’s sources of
imports. One way is to sustain our support to industry
stakeholders in organising sourcing trips for key food
items. In addition, we will be looking into ways to
better facilitate the import of food from alternate,
non-traditional sources.
Local production is another approach in AVA’s efforts
to enhance Singapore’s food supply resilience. To raise
productivity, I strongly encourage our farmers tap on
our Food Fund. As leafy vegetable farming has a great
potential for higher yield, we target to further boost
output of this produce via high-intensity farming
systems. We will also continue to assist farms in the
adoption of good agriculture/aquaculture practices,
technology, and disease management.
Review of Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
To ensure that our policies, programmes, and
capabilities remain relevant in a changing
environment, we need to constantly review our
legal and regulatory frameworks. The Fisheries Act,
for example, is currently being re-assessed so as to
strengthen Singapore’s global efforts in sustainable
aquaculture and in combating illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing.
In the next FY, our review will cover legislations and
regulations pertaining to food safety, animal health,
and plant health, to ensure they are streamlined and
effective. I also look forward to the new animal and
plant health plans that AVA is charting out.
Time and tide waits for no man. I am very glad to see
that AVA has capably responded to the challenges
that exist now, and is in good form to handle those
that are yet to come. As we work to ensure our
success for today and tomorrow, we firmly believe in
engaging and partnering our stakeholders in policymaking and regulating. I am confident that we will
continue to transform the way we work and deliver
optimum results, through innovation and stakeholder
engagement.
Thank You to all the Staff
All the above would not be possible without the
commitment and passion from all the staff aptly led
by the CEO, Ms Tan Poh Hong. On behalf of the AVA
Board, I want to say a big thank you to all the staff
for another year of achievement. I look forward to
another fruitful year.
I also want to thank my fellow Board members for
their guidance and support for the management. Your
willingness to share your experience and contribution
is much appreciated.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan led a Singapore delegation to Myanmar
for a food sourcing trip on 8-12 October 2012. A business
matching session was also organised for industry members from
Singapore and Myanmar to discuss business opportunities. Such
activities are part of AVA’s efforts in diversifying food sources
for Singapore.
Koh Soo Keong
Chairman
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Board of Directors
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01 | Chairman, Mr Koh Soo Keong
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Managing Director, EcoSave Pte Ltd
Chairman, ABL Asia Pte Ltd
Chairman, Ascendas Funds Management (S) Ltd
Independent Director, ECS Holdings Ltd
Independent Director, Noel Gifts International
Ltd
• Independent Director, Northern Technologies
International Corporation
• Director, Sino-Singapore (Chengdu) Innovation
Park Development Co. Ltd
• Director, Zerust Singapore Pte Ltd
02 | Prof Zhou Weibiao
• Director, Food Science and Technology
Programme, Department of Chemistry,
National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Council Member, Singapore Institute of Food
Science and Technology
• Member, Nominations Advisory Committee,
International Union of Food Science and
Technology
• Member, Food Standards Committee, SPRING
Singapore, MTI Singapore
• Member-at-large, Executive Committee,
International Society of Food Engineering
• Governing Board Member, The International
Food Information Service (IFIS Publishing),
Limited
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03 | Ms Tan Poh Hong
• Chief Executive Officer, Agri-Food and
Veterinary Authority
• Board Member, Singapore Corporation of
Rehabilitative Enterprise (SCORE)
• Director, AgriFood Technologies Pte Ltd
• Member, Liquors Licensing Board
04 | Mr Peter Chia
• Chief Operating Officer, Temasek Life Sciences
Laboratory Ltd
• Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Life Sciences
Ventures Pte Ltd
• Commissioner, PT Monfori Nusantara
• Director, Bioforest Pte Ltd
• Director, JOil (S) Pte Ltd
• Director, Tridel Biosciences International Pte Ltd
05 | Dr Azlinda Anwar
• Assistant Director (Research & Enterprise
Development), Temasek Life Sciences
Laboratory Ltd
• District Councillor, South West CDC 5th Council
06 | Mrs Lee Ai Ming
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Senior Partner, Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Independent Director, Keppel Land Ltd
Independent Director, HTL Holdings Ltd
Member, Singapore Copyright Tribunal
Member, Steering Committee for IP
Competency Framework
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07 | Mr Yeo Guat Kwang
• Director, Workplace Safety & Health and All
Nationalities, NTUC
• Member of Parliament
• Chairman, Migrant Workers Centre
• Executive Secretary, Amalgamated Union of
Statutory Board Employee
• Co-Chairman, GEMS UP / CCI Working
Committee
• Cluster-Lead, Hospitality and Consumer
Business
08 | COL (Dr) Kang Wee Lee
• Chief of Medical Corps, Singapore Armed
Forces
09 | Mr Teo Eng Cheong
• Chief Executive Officer, International
Enterprise (IE) Singapore
• Chairman, IE Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd
• Independent Director, Ascendas Funds
Management (S) Ltd
• Board Member, Council for Private Education
• Member, Air Traffic Rights Committee
• Board of Director, ASEAN Infrastructure
Fund Ltd
• Deputy Chairman, Singapore Cooperation
Enterprise
10 | Mr Tan Kok Yam
• Director Manpower, Ministry of Defence
• Chairman, AgriFood Technologies Pte Ltd
• Director, Singapore Technology EngineeringElectronics (e-Services) Pte Ltd
• General Secretary, SAF Reservist Association
• Vice President, NS Resort & Country Club
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11 | Mr Wong Hin Sun Eugene
• Founder and Managing Director, Sirius
Venture Capital Pte Ltd
• Chairman, CrimsonLogic Pte Ltd
• Director, Sirius SME Growth Partners I Ltd
• Director, Sirius Growth Partners I Pte Ltd
• Director, Sirius Capital Management Pte Ltd
• Independent Director, Q & M Dental Group
(Singapore) Ltd
• Non Executive Director, Ajisen (China)
Holdings Ltd
• Non Executive Director, Japan Food
Holdings Ltd
• Non Executive Director, Jason Marine Ltd
• Non Executive Director, International
Enterprise (IE) Singapore Board
• Non Executive Director, Sirius Angel Fund
Pte Ltd
• Non Executive Director, Sirius Growth Capital
Pte Ltd
• Non Executive Director, Sirius Investment Inc
• Non Executive Director, Paradise Group
Holdings
• Non Executive Director, Neo Group Limited
• Non Executive Director, TMC Education
Corporation Ltd
12 | Mr Felix Soh
• Digital Media Editor, Singapore Press
Holdings Ltd
• Consulting Editor, My Paper
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Senior Management
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01 | Ms Tan Poh Hong
Chief Executive Officer
02 | Dr Chew Siang Thai
• Director-General for Agri-Food &
Veterinary Services
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer
(Regulatory Programmes & Operations)
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04 | Dr Philip Chew Hong
Group Director, Technology & Industry Development
05 | Dr Choo Li Nah
Group Director, Communications & Corporate
Relations
06 | Dr Paul Chiew
Group Director, Laboratories
03 | Mr Lee Kwong Weng
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
(Corporate & Technology)
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07 | Ms Joyce Ng
Group Director, Corporate Resource Management
(till 31 Dec 2012)
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08 | Ms Seah Huay Leng
Group Director, Food Establishment
Regulation (till 31 Mar 2013)
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12 | Mrs Tan-Low Lai Kim
Group Director, Food Supply Resilience
13 | Dr Astrid Yeo
09 | Dr Wong Hon Mun
Group Director, Agri Establishment
Regulation
10 | Dr Tan Lee Kim, Kim
Group Director, Planning & Organisational
Excellence
11 | Dr Yap Him Hoo
Group Director, Quarantine and Inspection
(till 31 Mar 2013)
Group Director, Regulatory Administration &
Food Establishment Regulation
(concurrent appointments w.e.f. 1 Apr 2013)
14 | Ms Melin Lim
Acting Group Director, Corporate Resource
Management (w.e.f. 1 Jan 2013)
Group Director, Regulatory Administration
(till 31 Mar 2013)
Group Director, Quarantine and Inspection
(w.e.f. 1 Apr 2013)
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organisational chart and
key roles of groups
Chief Executive
Corporate & Technology
Planning &
Organisational
Excellence
Group
• Horizon
scanning
• Strategic
planning and
policy
• Emergency
planning
• Board secretariat
• Organisational
excellence
Corporate
Resource
Management
Group
• Financial
management
and
procurement
• Media relations
• Human resource
management
• Community
outreach
• Information
communication
technology
management
• Corporate
administration
and facilities
management
• Legal services
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Communications
& Corporate
Relations
Group
• Corporate
publications
- Food safety and
supply
- Responsible pet
ownership
• Customer relations
• International
relations
Technology &
Industry
Development
Group
• Technology
development
and transfer
- Horticulture
- Aquaculture
- Post harvest
• R&D planning
• Technical
assistance and
services
Food Supply
Resilience
Group
• Food supply
policy and
planning
- Source
diversification
- Local
production
• Agricultural land
planning and
development
• Fisheries
management
• Fishery ports
management
Officer
Regulatory Programmes & Operations
Regulatory
Administration
Group
• Policy, legislation
and programme
review
• Risk assessment
- Food safety
- Animal health
- Plant health
• Food source
accreditation
• Enforcement of
legislations
Quarantine &
Inspection
Group
• Import control
- Food
- Animals
- Plants
• Quarantine
services
• Export
facilitation
Food
Establishment
Regulation
Group
• Local food
establishments
regulation
- Food factories
- Slaughterhouses
• Food factories
grading
• Technical assistance
and services
• Export facilitation
Agri
Establishment
Regulation
Group
• Local farms
regulation
• Animal welfare
& management
• Regulation of
animal & plant
establishments
and feedmills
• First Responder
on animal
related issues
and animal
management
Laboratories
Group
• Testing,
diagnostic
services and
scientific
expertise
- Food safety
- Animal health
- Plant health
• R&D of new test
methodology
• Regulation
of veterinary
services and
standards
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calendar of events
April 2012
June 2012
On 12 April 2012, Senior Minister of State for Trade
and Industry & National Development, Mr Lee Yi Shyan,
visited AVA's Sembawang Research Station to learn more
about the home vegetable-growing system, Veggie Pipe.
AVA also facilitated Mr Lee's visit to two commercial
suppliers of home vegetable-growing kits, Oh Chin Huat
Hydroponic Farms and Far East Flora.
On 9 June 2012, AVA launched a new series of
Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) community events
for the heartlands. The first in the series of three events
kicked off with Mr Cedric Foo, Member of Parliament for
Pioneer SMC, as the Guest-of-Honour.
In April 2012, MND set up an Animal Welfare Legislation
Review Committee (AWLRC). AVA played a secretariat
role in helping the AWLRC to conduct consultations with
the public and relevant stakeholder groups, in order to
gather their feedback and suggestions on strengthening
animal welfare in Singapore.
May 2012
On 1 May 2012, AVA implemented the Treatment
Provider Scheme in replacement of the Accredited Pest
Control Agency Scheme, to provide standard operational
procedures for treatment providers who perform methyl
bromide fumigation and heat treatment operation on
plant and plants products.
The Food (Amendment) Regulations 2012 was gazetted
on 2 May 2012, with new requirements in the areas of
trans fat limit and mandatory nutrition labelling for
retail packs of edible fats and oils.
To keep abreast of international standards for animal
health and the control of major animal diseases
worldwide, AVA represented Singapore at the 80th
General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of
OIE held in Paris, France, from 20 to 25 May 2012.
AVA and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
attended the 5th East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum
(EAPVP) on 28-30 May 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand.
On 30-31 May 2012, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior
Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and
Defence, led the Singapore delegation to the 2nd APEC
Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Kazan, Russia.
The meeting reaffirmed its support for sustainable
development of the agricultural sector and facilitation of
trade and development of food markets. It also noted the
need to enhance food safety and quality, and improve
access to food for socially vulnerable populace.
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July 2012
The Food Safety Awards Night was held on 13 July 2012.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & National
Development, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, graced the event as
Guest-of-Honour and presented four Gold, six Silver,
and seven Bronze awards to winners of the Food Safety
Excellence Scheme.
Application for the second tranche of the Food Fund
closed on 31 July 2012 with 192 applications. A total of
about $13.7 million were committed for 126 successful
applications during the FY.
August 2012
On 8 August 2012, AVA received the Minister’s (Team)
Award 2012 for its innovative project on spawning of
pompanos in local waters.
September 2012
The Food (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2012 was
gazetted on 3 September 2012 with revised and new
regulations in the areas of additives, as well as maximum
limits for aflatoxins, aflatoxin M1, patulin, 3-MCPD, and
vinyl chloride monomer.
Dr Chew Siang Thai, AVA’s Director-General and Deputy
CEO (Regulatory Programmes & Operations), attended
the 3rd ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (SPS Cooperation)
held on 20 September 2012 in Nanning, China.
Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Parliamentary
Secretary for National Development and Defence,
together with AVA’s CEO, Ms Tan Poh Hong, led a sixmember delegation to the 34th Meeting of the ASEAN
Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF)
and the 12th Meeting of the AMAF+3 held on 27-28
September 2012 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
October 2012
December 2012
On 4-5 October 2012, AVA successfully conducted
“Exercise Gallus VII”, the seventh operational exercise
to test our emergency preparedness in responding to
an outbreak of bird flu.
On 3 December 2012, Minister for National
Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, visited AVA’s
Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC) and was briefed
on MAC’s initiatives to help our aquaculture industry
increase local food fish production.
On 8-12 October 2012, Senior Minister of State for
Trade and Industry & National Development, Mr
Lee Yi Shyan, led members from AVA, International
Enterprises Singapore, and the industry to Myanmar
for a food sourcing trip.
AVA CEO, Ms Tan Poh Hong, led a delegation to the
2nd ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture
and Forestry held on 17 October 2012 in New Delhi,
India. The ministers and senior officials took stock of
the progress of collaboration between ASEAN and
India.
AVA attended the 1st Technical Working Group
Meeting on Plant Variety Protection in Malaysia on 1-5
October 2012. The objectives of this meeting were to
harmonise the test guidelines for orchids, beginning
with the Mokara orchid, and to develop a database
of orchid varieties. Subsequently, AVA represented
Singapore at the 3rd Harmonisation of Mokara Test
Guideline Technical Meeting held on 20-22 February
2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.
November 2012
AVA hosted the 6th Singapore-Indonesia Agriculture
Working Group Meeting on 2 November 2012 in
Singapore. The working group reviewed the action
plans, as good progress was made in the amount of
vegetable and seafood imported from Indonesia.
January 2013
From 7 to 11 January 2013, AVA conducted a training
course on Advanced Modern Tilapia Culture and PostHarvest Technology in Laos. The course was organised
as part of our efforts to help raise productivity of the
Lao-Singapore Fish Hatchery, which was set up in 2002
with technical assistance from AVA and funding from
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
February 2013
On 22 February 2013, AVA introduced import
conditions for laboratory animals (embryos, ova and
semen of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats,
and gerbils) for laboratory purposes.
March 2013
On 19-20 March 2013, AVA attended the 8th Steering
Committee Meeting of the ASEAN-Asian Vegetable
Research and Development Centre Regional Network
on Vegetable Research and Development (AARNET) in
Bangkok, Thailand.
AVA hosted the 19th OIE Sub-Commission For Foot and
Mouth Disease Control in South-East Asia and China
(SEACFMD) from 19 to 22 March 2013 at the Concorde
Hotel, Singapore. It was the first time the meeting was
held in Singapore.
In November 2012, AVA collaborated with FairPrice,
Giant, and Sheng Siong supermarkets to promote
locally farmed fish. We organised 72 cooking
demonstrations in the selected supermarkets, using
fishes under the “SG Fish” brand.
To reach out directly to members of the public, the
annual RPO Roadshow was held at the Singapore
Expo on 10-11 November 2012, with Mr Tan Chuan
Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister
of State for National Development, as the Guest-ofHonour.
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...It’s essentially about
sufficient and
stable food supply
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food supply resilience | food safety | animal health and welfare
| plant health | agrotechnology | agri-trade | organisational excellence
We achieve food supply resilience by source diversification,
local production, and facilitation of imports via effective
risk management. Added focus is placed on strengthening
our supply resilience in the five key items – fish, egg, pork,
chicken, and leafy vegetable – which Singaporeans enjoy.
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Enhancing Resilience
in Singapore’s food supply
To ensure a resilient supply of safe food for Singapore, AVA has in place strategies and
programmes to maintain an adequate and stable supply of food, while mitigating food safety
risks. AVA adopts a diversification strategy to facilitate a steady flow of a wide variety of safe
food at stable prices into Singapore. While diversifying our overseas food supply, we also seek to
enhance the productivity of local farms through R&D and capability development. Additionally,
AVA continues to educate consumers on the use of liquid eggs, egg powder, and frozen meat
as viable alternatives to shell eggs and chilled meat. To complement the efforts of local farms in
increasing productivity, we also encourage consumers to choose local produce and support our
farmers.
SOURCE DIVERSIFICATION
Singapore imports more than 90 percent of her food. To enhance supply resilience, AVA partners
the private sector in food sourcing and facilitates the development of potential overseas sources.
By buying from many different sources, Singapore is better buffered against potential food
shortages and price volatility.
AVA continued to engage key stakeholders to enhance source diversification. As part of this
engagement, business cluster meetings, as well as CEO’s dialogues with associations, supermarket
retailers, and importers were held. Issues on food supply challenges, potential new sources,
consumer trends, and the plans in place to mitigate any supply disruption were discussed.
Food Sourcing Missions
In FY 2012, AVA continued to scout for new sources of safe and quality food for Singapore. AVA
conducted food sourcing missions and study trips to not only explore new sources and but also
strengthen existing trading ties.
On 8-12 October 2012, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Trade & Industry,
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, led members from AVA, International Enterprises Singapore (IES), and the
industry to Myanmar. Heads of six food associations and 32 industry participants visited landing
sites, wholesale markets, farms, seafood processing factories, and retail outlets during the trip. In
addition, AVA officers also shared their technical expertise with counterparts in Myanmar.
Following this, AVA conducted a study trip to Myanmar
on 23-28 November 2012. During this trip, officials
from AVA and Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation discussed areas for technical cooperation
and the potential of growing vegetables in the
northern Shan State. With the facilitation of AVA,
two Singaporean vegetable growers also participated
in this trip to explore trading and contract farming
opportunities in Myanmar.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan (5th from left) and the delegation including
Ms Tan Poh Hong, CEO of AVA – visited the Annawa Aung
Landing Site for fisheries during the food sourcing and study
trip to Myanmar.
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A delegation comprising 13 representatives from
AVA, IES, as well as the fruit and vegetable trade were
in Vietnam from 12 to 16 November 2012 to gather
a better understanding of the country’s fruit and
vegetable production. Highlights of the sourcing trip
included visits to the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial
Park Hai Phong, as well as vegetable and fruit
processing factories, farms, and packing houses. The
trip resulted in fruitful engagements between AVA,
AVA attended the 3rd Guangxi–ASEAN New Vegetable
Varieties Exhibition held in Nanning, Guangxi, China from
28 to 30 November 2012. We also led a delegation of
12 industry partners to the “Chinese High Quality Fruits
Promotion Fair” in Guangxi, China on 20 – 23 September
2012. During the fair, AVA delivered presentations to
introduce Singapore’s fruit market, our current sources of
fruit supplies, existing trade relations with China, as well
as import requirements.
In November 2012, AVA and IES also co-led a trade mission
to Argentina and Chile. Meat importers from Singapore
attended business matching sessions with 13 poultry,
pork, and beef exporters based in Buenos Aires. They also
gained good insights into Argentinean meat processing
technology. Upon return, AVA shared useful information
obtained during the trip with industry members.
In addition, food sourcing and study trips to Indonesia,
Thailand, and Malaysia were also conducted.
AVA and IES co-led a trade mission
to Argentina and visited the meat
processing plants there.
Promoting supply from Indonesia
The Singapore-Indonesia Agri-business Working Group (AWG) was formed in June 2010 to
increase bilateral trade of vegetables, fruits, seafood, and ornamental fish.
AVA hosted the 6th AWG Meeting on 2 November 2012 in Singapore. The working group reviewed
the action plans as good progress was made in the amount of vegetable and seafood imported
from Indonesia. Imports of vegetables and seafood imported from Indonesia rose by 18 percent
in 2012, reversing a five-year decline from 2006 to 2011.
In addition, AWG conducted business matching seminars with vegetables and seafood traders
during the FY. Other activities included a study visit to Indonesian ornamental fish establishments
and workshops on the sanitary and phytosanitary requirements of Singapore. We also conducted
training sessions on Good Agriculture Practice, as well as on the pre-harvest handling and postharvest management of vegetables. An `NTUC FairPrice Istimewa Fair’ was organised to promote
the sale of Indonesian produce in Singapore.
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, People’s Committee of Lamdong Province,
and industry members from both countries. In December 2012, traders from both countries met
up again in Lamdong to further strengthen links.
The 6th Agri-business Working Group Meeting met on 2 November 2012 and reviewed the action plans for bilateral
trade.
17
AVA Food Fund
Besides diversifying our overseas food sources to ensure our food supply resilience, AVA also
promotes local food production to minimise the impact of supply disruptions. In December 2009,
AVA introduced the first tranche of Food Fund to support food diversification efforts and local
farm capability development to enhance productivity.
Second Tranche of Food Fund
The second tranche of the Food Fund was launched on 1 August 2011 and closed on 31 July
2012. A total of 192 applications were received for the Food Fund categories of Farm Capability
Upgrading (Basic and Advance), Technical Boosters, R&D Challenge Call and Open Call, as well as
Food Diversification.
A total of about $13.7 million were committed for 126 successful applications during the FY.
Food Fund (2nd Tranche) Categories
Basic Farm Capability (FCU)
Technical Booster projects
Advance FCU
R&D
-- Challenge Call
-- Open Call
Total
No. of projects accepted
111
10
5
126
The five R&D projects receiving the Food Fund aim to:
1) Improve waste management in a poultry farm.
2) Produce consistent fry for commonly farmed pompano and golden trevally species in a fish
farm.
3) Maximise productivity in three egg/fish farms.
The funds awarded for Advance FCU projects ranged from $100,000 to $500,000. One of the Food
Fund recipients, Seng Choon Farm Pte Ltd, used the funds to procure a robot cage cleaner for its
egg farm. Other efficiency equipment was also added to the farm’s processes. As a result, the farm
is now able to enjoy increased productivity and annual savings of $108,000 in manpower costs.
FACILITATING FOOD IMPORTS
AVA adopts a risk-based approach in managing the delicate balance between ensuring a stable
supply of safe food on one hand, while mitigating food safety risks on the other. This enables us
to facilitate food imports without comprising food safety.
Establishment of Disease-Free-Zone
On 21 May 2010, AVA signed an agreement with the Jilin City government to establish and
maintain a Foot and Mouth Disease-Free-Zone (DFZ) in Yongji County within the Jilin Province
of China. The establishment of DFZs is part of AVA’s regionalisation approach, to allow imports
from DFZs within infected countries, subject to meeting AVA’s conditions for the establishment of
stringent control disease and surveillance programmes.
With the establishment of this DFZ, Jilin will become a potential source of pork for Singapore.
The DFZ supports Singapore’s commercial companies’ joint venture to develop an integrated pig
farm to supply pork to Singapore. AVA and Jilin City formed a working group to provide technical
advice, as well as to monitor and review the progress of the DFZ development.
The construction of the DFZ has since been completed. In July 2012, China’s Ministry of
Agriculture (MOA) conducted an on-site accreditation of the Jilin DFZ. AVA participated in the
five-day assessment as observers, visiting the various tiers of local veterinary services and DFZ
18
AVA and the Chinese authorities will continue to collaborate in the maintenance and improvement
of the DFZ.
Import Risk Assessments
Through sound risk management, AVA has enabled resumption of food imports from suspended
sources due to certain hazards.
Review on Import Bans of Food from Japan
In FY 2012, AVA assessed the risks of radioactivity in food products from seven Japanese
prefectures. Imports from these prefectures were banned in Singapore after the meltdown at the
Fukushima Nuclear Plant in March 2011.
As a result, import of milk and milk products, meat and meat products, table hen eggs, seafood,
fruits, and vegetables from Chiba, Ibaraki, Gunma, Kanagawa, Saitama, Tochigi, and Tokyo
prefectures were resumed starting April 2013. However every consignment would have to be
accompanied by a certificate of origin (COO), as well as a pre-export laboratory report to
certify that the imported food product has been tested and found to be free from radioactive
contaminants. Following the lifting of the suspension, only food from Fukushima prefecture
would remain suspended.
NEW IMPORT REQUIREMENTS
Kanto region: Ibraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama,
Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa prefectures
Singapore requires a COO and pre-export radioactivity
laboratory report for the following types of food
imported from the Kanto region, Japan:
• Meat and meat products (from sources
approved by AVA)
• Table hen eggs (from sources approved
by AVA)
• Milk and milk products
• Fresh and processed fruits and vegetables
• Seafood
In FY 2012, AVA assessed the
risks of radioactivity in food
products from seven Japanese
prefectures and lifted the import
bans on selected products from
these prefectures.
Fukushima prefecture
No food allowed for import into Singapore
Kanto
Region
infrastructures. The MOA officially recognised the DFZ status on 2 August 2012, with subsequent
endorsement by AVA.
Fukushima
Prefecture
map not drawn to scale
19
Compartmentalisation Study in Thailand
AVA visited Thailand on 16-20 July 2012 to study the control of highly pathogenic avian influenza
in the country. Professor Dirk Pfeiffer (Veterinary Epidemiology, Royal Veterinary College, London,
the United Kingdom) also accompanied the AVA team as our technical consultant.
During the visit, AVA held discussions with Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development, as
well as two companies – Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) and Golden
Line Business Company Limited (GLB). AVA also visited feed mills, farms, slaughterhouses, and
processing plants located in the Nakhon Ratchashima and Phetchabun provinces. The study trip
provided inputs for AVA’s risk assessment and a review on the resumption of frozen raw poultry
meat imports from Thailand.
Staying Alert against Emerging Threats & Issues
AVA’s horizon scanning function scans and analyses the global food supply situation on a regular
basis to help AVA anticipate opportunities and potential threats that could impact our food
supply. Emphasis is placed on global food supply and price changes, as well as possible production
limitations (such as disease, abrupt weather events, and depleting resources). Key factors that
drive global food supply and demand are analysed to assess their impact on Singapore’s food
supply situation. This process is complemented with feedback from the industry.
In addition, we identify and monitor global food supply and demand trends that could unfold in
the longer term. We feed these global perspectives into AVA’s strategic planning so as to enhance
AVA’s preparedness and awareness of potential future challenges as we develop our programmes
and policies.
Raising Consumer Awareness of Alternative Food Products and
Local Produce
Singapore has limited sources for chilled meat and shell eggs. To enhance food supply resilience,
AVA continued to educate consumers on food alternatives such as frozen meat, egg powder,
and liquid egg, which can help to buffer against potential supply disruptions. In addition, we
intensified our public education on local produce by highlighting these foods' quality and
freshness.
Alternative Food Products
In FY 2012, AVA continued to educate the public on
the uses of frozen meat, liquid egg, and egg powder
through various events, such as the Singapore Food
Expo. During the event in May 2012, 32 sessions
of cooking demonstrations were conducted using
frozen meat, liquid egg, and egg powder. Liquid
egg sample packs were also distributed to visitors
during the demonstrations.
Cooking demonstrations were conducted using frozen meat, liquid
egg, and egg powder during the Singapore Food Expo in May 2012.
20
AVA also participated in various community events,
such as the Rivervale CC Open House, Cheng San
CC’s Healthy Lifestyle Fair, to spread our public
education messages on frozen meat, liquid eggs
and egg powder.
Besides helping our farms to increase their productivity, our support to local farms also includes
encouraging consumers to buy local produce by raising public awareness of the latter’s quality
and freshness.
In November 2012, AVA participated in the Asia Food Expo, where a total of 32 cooking
demonstrations were conducted using local produce as main ingredients. The event reached out
to more than 10,000 people.
AVA also collaborated with the People’s Association (PA) to promote local fish, eggs, and
vegetables. Under PA’s Singapore Culinary Journey Programme, AVA worked with the culinary
trainers from PA to conduct cooking classes using local produce as main ingredients. A total of
30 classes were conducted at various community centres from August 2011 to March 2012, and
attracted about 600 participants.
In addition, AVA collaborated with the Civil Service Club to organise five cooking classes on local
produce. About 200 people participated in these classes held from February to March 2013.
Local Eggs and the Singapore Quality Egg Scheme
The quality of eggs produced by local chicken layer farms is assured under AVA’s Singapore Quality
Egg Scheme (SQES). All three local chicken layer farms are currently registered under this Scheme,
which requires them to ensure that their facilities are hygienic and quality control monitoring
systems are well maintained at all times. The eggs produced undergo monthly inspection and
freshness tests by AVA to verify their quality. The date of production and farm code are also
stamped on every egg to ensure traceability.
To increase consumer awareness of the SQES logo, point-of-sale materials were installed in Cold
Storage outlets to provide information on the SQES, and drive home the message that local eggs
are the freshest consumers can find in markets here.
Media advertisements educating the public on the SQES and encouraging consumers to choose
local eggs were also carried out in March, April, October 2012 to complement the efforts.
Local Vegetables
AVA’s Good Agricultural Practice for Vegetable Farming (GAP-VF) Certification Scheme assures the
quality of vegetables produced by local farms. Currently, seven farms have come on board this
voluntary quality assurance scheme.
To educate the public on GAP-VF and increase public awareness on local vegetable industry, AVA
collaborated with PA to organise 10 farm tours to Kok Fah Technology Farm and Oh Chin Huat
Hydroponic Farms. Participants learned about Singapore’s food supply resilience strategies and
local vegetable farms that are important secondary sources of food for our country.
Local Fish
While AVA continues to work closely with the industry to bolster our food supply resilience, we
also encourage consumers to buy home grown produce.
Local Produce
In November 2012, AVA collaborated with FairPrice, Giant, and Sheng Siong supermarkets to
promote locally farmed fish. Local farms Rong-Yao, Blue Ocean Harvest, Oseme Trading, and
Tiberias Harvest came together for a joint marketing promotion under the “SG Fish” brand. To
complement the joint effort, AVA organised 72 cooking demonstrations using these fishes in
the selected supermarkets. Educational materials were also distributed to shoppers during these
demonstrations.
21
22
safe and
wholesome food
We set and enforce food safety standards for all food
entering and produced in Singapore, from farm to
fork. Through our robust monitoring and inspection
programmes, these standards are maintained and
Singaporeans can set their minds at ease.
23
Keeping Food Safe for Consumption
Singapore imports more than 90 percent of the food it consumes. To ensure all locally produced
and imported food products are safe for consumption, AVA adopts a science-based risk analysis
approach that is based on international standards. AVA sets and enforces food safety standards
for all food entering the Singapore market, from production to just before retail. As food safety
is a shared responsibility, AVA also engages the industry and public to do their part in keeping
food safe for consumption.
To safeguard public health, AVA has in place high food safety standards, and robust monitoring
and inspection programmes to ensure that these standards are maintained. We closely monitor
each stage of the food production chain – from the conditions at farms, slaughterhouses, and
food processing establishments (both local and overseas), to testing of food samples at the point
of import or at local establishments. Only those that pass our stringent tests and inspections are
permitted for sale and consumption.
REGULATING FOOD IMPORTS
Accreditation of Sources
Product and Country Approval
Within the FY, AVA approved the import of new products, namely meat and processed meat from
two countries to Singapore. The approval process was based on the assessment of the exporting
countries’ veterinary services, legislation, animal disease status and control measures, national
residue and microbiological monitoring programmes, as well as the regulatory system for the
production of the export products to Singapore.
As at March 2013, 36 countries were approved by AVA to export meat, processed meat, processed
egg, canned meat, and table hen eggs to Singapore.
Meat and Egg Processing Establishments
In the FY, AVA conducted inspection visits to
Japan, Malaysia, China, Chinese Taipei, and
Thailand to accredit their establishments for the
export of meat, processed meat, and processed
egg products to Singapore. During the FY, AVA
accredited 57 new establishments from 15 new
and existing AVA-approved countries for the
export of such products to Singapore. These
included frozen pork, chicken, and beef, as well as
processed chicken, processed pork, liquid egg, and
cooked egg products.
Overseas food establishments, such as this meat processing plant in
Japan, are inspected and accredited before their products can be
imported into Singapore.
Following our inspection visit to Japan in November
2012, AVA approved the two establishments in
the Miyazaki Prefecture to export deboned beef
for the first time to Singapore. At the same time, we also approved two establishments in the
Kagoshima Prefecture to export frozen pork and deboned beef to Singapore.
Poultry and Pig Farms
By the end of the FY, AVA accredited 242 overseas poultry and pig farms for the export of live
poultry, shell eggs, and pigs to Singapore. The accredited farms comprised 134 chicken broiler
farms and 57 duck broiler farms from Malaysia; a pig farm from Indonesia; and 50 layer farms
from seven countries.
24
AVA suspends food sources that pose significant hazards, and reinstates them after they have
rectified the hazards. In FY 2012, a total of 23 overseas poultry farms were suspended for failing
to meet our food safety standards. Reasons for suspension included the detection of Salmonella
Enteritidis (SE) and drug residues, as well as major non-compliance with export conditions.
During the FY, AVA lifted the suspension on imports of chilled / frozen beef and processed beef
products from Belgium following OIE’s official recognition of its Negligible BSE Risk status.
Issuance of Licences and Permits
Meat and Seafood
As at the end of FY 2012, there were a total of 2,858 licensed traders for meat and seafood, to
whom 20,995 meat permits and 192,065 seafood permits were issued.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Processed Food
There were a total of 1,133 licensed importers for fresh fruits and vegetables to whom 221,206
permits were issued in FY 2012. In addition, there were a total of 9,591 registered importers for
processed food to whom 351,531 permits were issued.
Surveillance and Monitoring
AVA has comprehensive surveillance programmes
in place to monitor food safety hazards in primary
produce and processed food. Import consignments
are subjected to systematic inspections and
laboratory testing for pathogens, and chemical
contaminants and residues.
Meat and Meat Products
AVA inspected 73,711 meat consignments with a
total weight of 267,425 metric tonnes valued at
$1.14 billion. We continued with the surveillance
of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat products,
and E. coli O157 in processed beef products and
manufacturing cuts (such as beef trimmings). A
total of 2,535 samples were tested for Listeria
monocytogenes, and 2,492 samples were tested
for E. coli O157. Seven meat consignments were
rejected due to contamination with Listeria
monocytogenes. One consignment was rejected due
to contamination with E. coli O157. A total of 129
consignments (0.17 percent) were rejected, mainly
for Salmonella.
AVA inspected 73,711 meat consignments with a
total weight of 267,425 metric tonnes valued at
$1.14 billion.
Seafood and Seafood Products
Suspension and Resumption of Supply Sources
AVA inspected 2,085 consignments of seafood with a total weight of 3,292 metric tonnes valued
at $41.4 million. A total of 35 consignments (1.67 percent) were rejected due to microbial and
chemical contamination.
In the inspection of seafood, the focus was on high-risk products, i.e. cooked and pasteurised
crabmeat, cooked prawns, oysters, and smoked seafood. These consignments were detained upon
arrival for inspection and laboratory testing. Their respective accompanying health certificates
from the countries of origin were also checked.
25
We continued to monitor imported fresh seafood at our fishery ports for adulteration with
chemical preservatives (i.e. formaldehyde and boric acid). A total of 837 samples were tested and
seven samples (0.83 percent) were found to contain high levels of formaldehyde. The importers
of these consignments were fined for these violations and their subsequent consignments were
monitored under hold-and-test inspection.
Egg Products
A total of 629 consignments of processed egg products, comprising liquid egg, egg powder, as
well as preserved and salted duck eggs, were inspected. Five consignments of salted duck eggs
were rejected, mainly for adulteration with sudan dye, an industrial colouring prohibited in
foodstuffs. Four consignments of preserved duck eggs were rejected due to high levels of lead.
Fruits and Vegetables
AVA continued its inspections of imported fresh fruits and vegetables
throughout the FY. In total, 9,879 consignments of fresh fruits and
vegetables from 30 countries were inspected and screened, as part
of hold-and-test and routine inspection programmes, for pesticide
residues, radioactivity, preservatives, toxic chemicals, and microbial
contaminations. Of these, 365 consignments under the hold-andtest programme were rejected. The overall violation rate from
samples of hold-and-test and routine inspections was 6.62 percent.
We collaborated with our counterparts in other countries to provide
effective remedial actions on pesticide residue violations.
During the FY, 9,879 consignments of fresh
fruits and vegetables from 30 countries were
inspected and screened, as part of hold-andtest procedures and routine inspections.
A review of the pesticide residue violation trend in vegetables was
conducted in October 2012. It revealed inconsistency in compliance
and high violation rates in matrimony vine, spinach, kale, and leek
from Malaysia, as well as coriander from Thailand. As a result,
these five products were put under the hold-and-test inspection
programme with effect from 15 November 2012. Consignments
of such products would be detained after inspection pending
laboratory results for pesticide residues.
Concurrently, AVA also refined its non-detention incentive scheme for hold-and-test products.
Under this scheme, importers who achieve satisfactory inspection results for at least 10 consecutive
consignments for a specific hold-and-test product will enjoy the benefit of having the subsequent
consignments inspected and tested without detention. The enhanced scheme was expanded to
include the inspection results accumulated before products were put under hold-and-test. This
would help importers with good track records to qualify for the incentive scheme quicker.
Processed Products
In FY 2012, a total of 8,553 consignments of imported processed food were inspected and sampled
for laboratory analyses. Of these, 169 consignments were rejected due to the presence of nonpermitted food additives, excessive additives, and contaminants. In addition, 3,390 inspections
were conducted on 56,835 food items from retail outlets, and 6,271 food samples were taken for
chemical, microbiological, and physical analyses.
A total of 300 summonses/compound fines, 620 written warnings, and 19 verbal warnings were
issued for non-compliances with the Food Regulations during the FY. We investigated 224
complaints on food importers and took appropriate enforcement actions where irregularities
were detected. Some of these cases involved labelling infringements and food contamination
with foreign matter.
26
Farms
As at end of FY 2012, there were 120 licensed coastal fish culture farms, five poultry farms, 46
vegetable farms, and nine land-based food fish farms.
Local poultry farms continued to be monitored
monthly for drug residues and SE in chicken and
quail eggs. One local quail farm was suspended
from sale of quail eggs following a detection
of antibiotic residues. The affected eggs were
destroyed and the suspension was lifted after
negative detections of antibiotic residues were
achieved in tests.
Market-sized food fish from local coastal
farms were tested regularly for drug residues,
heavy metals, chemical contaminants, and
microbiological pathogens. The Vibrio species
of bacteria was periodically detected in
samples collected in FY 2012, which is common
as the bacteria are ubiquitous in the marine
environment. Farmers were advised to improve
harvesting practices on their farms, particularly
rapid chilling of fish with sufficient ice during
harvest and transport.
AVA conducted inspections on food items from
retail outlets, and collects samples for chemical,
microbiological, and physical analyses.
Antibiotic residues were detected in Asian sea bass samples from a local coastal fish farm. We
immediately suspended the sale of the affected batch of fish for human consumption, and lifted
the suspension after two consecutive negative detections of antibiotic residues were achieved in
tests.
Local oyster farms continued to be monitored weekly for Norovirus, Hepatitis A, as well as
monthly for heavy metals, toxins, and microbiological pathogens. Monthly inspections of the
farms’ depuration units were also conducted to ensure that the units were operational. One
local oyster farm was suspended from sale of oysters following repeated positive detections of
Norovirus and Vibrio species bacteria in the post-depurated oyster samples. Suspension was lifted
after the post-depurated samples were tested negative for Norovirus and Vibrio species.
Animal feed used by all food-producing farm animals were regularly tested for antibiotic residues,
chemical contaminants, melamine, and microbiological pathogens. During the FY, trace amounts
of antibiotics were detected in feed samples collected from goat, fish, and layer poultry farms.
Our investigations showed that these feed were imported and the overseas manufacturer was
the source of the contamination. End-product testing of milk, fish, and eggs were carried out to
ensure that these contaminants were not found in the food produced by the farms before being
sold for public consumption.
REGULATING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION
Local vegetable farms are encouraged to adopt the Good Agricultural Practice standard, under
the voluntary Good Agricultural Practice for Vegetable Farming (GAP-VF) Certification Scheme.
In FY 2012, AVA audited and approved seven vegetable farms for GAP-VF certification renewal.
Local Food Establishments
At the end of FY 2012, there were 1,480 local food processing establishments licensed by AVA.
These establishments included slaughterhouses, other food processors, and cold stores for meat
and fish products.
27
During FY 2012, AVA received 207 licence applications and issued 176 licences. A total of 1,000
site inspections were carried out on food processing establishments to evaluate the new licence
applications; changes in layout for existing premises; and suitability of the location for food usage.
AVA conducts annual on-site audit assessments on licensed local food establishments to determine
their grading status, and provides on-site advice to help them improve and upgrade their premises.
In FY 2012, a total of 1,656 audit inspections were carried out on these local food establishments.
As at 31 March 2013, there were 150 local food processing establishments that were awarded
with the A grade, 589 with the B grade, 497 with the C grade, and 65 with the D grade, under
AVA’s Food Factory Grading Scheme. The remaining 179 new food establishments were not due
for grading. A total of 479 (32 percent) of all these establishments obtained HACCP certification.
Abattoir and Slaughterhouses
As of FY 2012, there was one pig abattoir, as well as 10 chicken and four duck slaughterhouses.
A total of 323,945 pigs, 46.5 million chickens, and 5.9 million ducks were slaughtered at these
premises. All pigs slaughtered at the abattoir were inspected by AVA, of which 420 pigs (0.12
percent of total pigs slaughtered) and 192,736 partial organs (about 3.5 percent of the estimated
total number of organs) were condemned as unfit for human consumption.
Enforcement actions were taken against poultry slaughterhouse operators and pork cutting
establishments who failed to comply with AVA’s licensing conditions. In FY 2012, a total of 54
warning letters were issued. Composition fines were also imposed for hygiene infringements and
cold chain violations.
Special Permits for Religious Institutions
In FY 2012, a total of 75 permits were issued to religious
bodies and institutions to slaughter 52 goats and 2,700
sheep for religious purposes. Inspections were carried
out during arrival of the animals, in animal holding
pens and skinning/cutting area, as well as during
slaughtering, to ensure animal welfare and all sanitary
facilities were acceptable.
In March 2012, Australia’s Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry implemented the Export Supply
Chain Assurance System (ESCAS), which stipulates
AVA officers (right) conducted on-site assessments to ensure
new welfare standards for livestock that are exported
the facilities are properly setup for religious slaughtering of
for religious slaughtering. To comply with these
livestock.
standards and requirements, AVA worked closely with
the relevant stakeholders to draft a Code of Practice
for animal welfare. In addition, two training sessions on the Handling of Sheep and Goats for
Special Slaughter were held on 21 April 2012 for members from the Islamic Religious Council of
Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura or MUIS), various mosques, Malay/Muslim organisations,
and importers. On-site assessments were also conducted at AVA-approved venues for religious
slaughtering to ensure compliance with ESCAS.
Food Processing Establishments
AVA regularly inspects local food establishments to ensure that proper hygiene practices are
observed. In FY 2012, AVA made 5,882 inspection visits to food establishments that were involved
in manufacturing meat, fish, egg, and other processed foods, as well as cold stores.
A total of 2,192 processed food samples were taken for laboratory analysis. Of these, 124 were
found to be unsatisfactory, and five were found to be unfit for human consumption. We issued 87
summonses/compound fines, 630 written warnings, and 1,218 advisory letters for non-compliance
with the Sale of Food Act and the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act.
28
Registration and Inspection of Food Storage Warehouses
AVA commenced the registration of food storage warehouses on 1 November 2011. This move
helps to enhance food traceability and enables AVA to promptly notify warehouses should
there be a need for immediate recall of affected products. As at 31 March 2013, a total of 876
food storage warehouse applications were received and registration for 795 warehouses was
completed. In addition, we carried out 39 site assessments on warehouses and provided operators
with advice on Good Warehousing Practices.
All registered food storage warehouses are subjected to inspections by AVA. We conducted
328 inspections on the warehouses and provided operators with advice on Good Warehousing
Practices (GWP) for the maintenance and improvement of warehouse hygiene and operations.
In FY 2012, AVA developed a new checklist for the assessment of food storage warehouses and
cold stores in consultation with local food associations such as the Singapore Food Manufacturers’
Association (SFMA), Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMF), Seafood Industries Association
Singapore (SIAS), Meat Traders’ Association (MTA), Poultry Merchants’ Association (PMA),
and Eggs’ Import/Export Trading Association (EIETA). This checklist would be used for routine
inspections, grading audits, and warehouse inspections by AVA with effect from May 2013.
LABORATORY CAPABILITIES
Laboratory testing is a critical component in AVA’s food safety monitoring and surveillance
programmes. AVA’s Veterinary Public Health Laboratory (VPHL) plays a key role in enforcing our
stringent food safety standards. The state-of-the-art laboratories at VPHL are capable of detecting
a wide range of food-borne hazards, particularly those of current and emerging importance.
In FY 2012, the VPHL carried out approximately 1.9 million analyses on 64,595 samples of imported
and locally-produced food products. The laboratory analyses covered pathogens, antibiotics,
growth promotants, hormones, pesticide residues, chemical additives, and contaminants, which
are harmful to public health.
The VPHL also provides analytical services to
the local food industry, as well as government
departments and statutory boards. In addition,
VPHL extended its commercial testing services
to Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan
during the FY.
As an import/export testing and certification
laboratory, VPHL ensures that its tests are
accredited according to international standards.
The laboratory continued to be accredited by
the Singapore Accreditation Council-Singapore
Laboratory
Accreditation
Scheme
(SACSINGLAS) and is ISO/IEC 17025 certified since
year 2000. With 10 new methods accredited by
SAC-SINGLAS in FY 2012, the total number of
accredited methods was raised to 214.
A total of 142 complaint cases of unwholesome and improperly labelled pre-packed processed
food were investigated, and appropriate enforcement actions were taken for contraventions in
hygiene practices and other offences.
Tests conducted AVA’s Veterinary Public Health
Laboratory are accredited according to international
standards. With 10 new methods accredited by SACSINGLAS in FY 2012, the total number of accredited
methods was raised to 214.
As part of the laboratory quality system, VPHL took part in relevant inter-laboratory Proficiency
Testing Schemes organised in various countries, including the UK, EU, Sweden, Canada, New
Zealand, and Australia, and continued to excel in these programmes. We also participated in new
schemes in the FY, such as those provided by Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
and European Commission-ASEAN reference laboratories.
29
Enhancing Testing Capabilities
Faced with an ever-increasing list of food contaminants and new emerging food pathogens,
VPHL continued to keep abreast of cutting-edge technology and constantly upgrades its existing
capability with the acquisition of laboratory equipment and development of new testing method.
During the FY, VPHL developed/enhanced 60 methods in the areas of chemical contaminants;
drug residues; pesticide residues; food-borne toxins; food and nutrition chemistry; food quality
and authentication microbiology; and genetically modified material analyses.
Non-Targeted Testing for Early Detection of Food-borne
Hazards
AVA continued to make progress in establishing nontargeted testing capabilities at VPHL to enhance our
preparedness in safeguarding public health. This FY, we
began looking into expanding the scope of our testing
capabilities to cover the volatile and semi-volatile foodborne chemical hazards using gas chromatography
with HRMS.
AVA’s non-target laboratory utilises High Resolution Mass
Spectrometry technology to identify rare or unanticipated
compounds in food.
VPHL also continued to keep abreast of emerging
technologies that could be adopted to boost its current
non-target testing capabilities. We are exploring
the potential of using Next-Generation Sequencing
technologies in non-targeted analysis of food-borne
microbial and viral pathogens.
Detection of Nano-materials in Food
During FY 2012, the VPHL embarked on a new initiative to develop our laboratory capabilities
in nanotechnology with the formation of a Nanotechnology Working Group. Visits to local
nanotechnology research laboratories have been planned and an overseas expert has been
invited to assist in the project.
Food Traceability Techniques
During the FY, VPHL also began to build up its capability to trace the origin of food by leveraging
on nuclear techniques, such as the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, Inductively-coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry, and the Inductively-coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry. This
capability can be used as a verification tool to determine food supply chain integrity and food
traceability systems, which serve to protect public health.
STAYING ALERT AGAINST EMERGING THREATS & ISSUES
AVA scans open information sources to detect overseas reports on food safety incidents, food
recalls, as well as industry practices or new food technology, which can lead to unsafe food.
Horizon scanning supports AVA’s food safety surveillance programmes by providing early alerts
on incidents that impact the safety of food in Singapore, so that prompt mitigation measures
can be implemented, if necessary. During the FY, our scanning efforts alerted us to the meat
adulteration scandal in the EU involving horse meat in beef products, and enabled us to the
appropriate actions to mitigate such risks.
Codex Alimentarius Commission
To stay abreast of food safety developments in the international arena, AVA participated in Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) meetings during the FY, where topics such as food additives,
food contaminants, pesticide residues, food labelling, nutrition and foods for special dietary uses,
animal feeding and food, and import and export certification system were discussed.
30
RISK AND SAFETY ASSESSMENTS
AVA has in place a system to assess the risks posed by various food items and to manage food
safety incidents. AVA will implement appropriate risk-mitigating measures, in accordance to the
risk that the food items pose. As part of risk assessment, AVA also conducts surveillance of food
products and food contact materials that are available in Singapore.
Food Chemicals and Food Contact Materials
AVA conducted risk assessments on the dietary exposures of food chemicals in our daily food
intake. Our assessment of perchlorate showed that the current levels of the chemical in food do
not pose a health risk to the general population in Singapore.
AVA also conducted safety assessments on food-contact materials and articles to ensure that they
are safe for food contact applications. During the FY, AVA assessed the safety of nylon oven
bags and microwaveable bags, melamine cutleries, stainless steel cutleries, and glassware that
are available in Singapore’s market. Based on the migration levels of chemicals from these food
contact articles, they were found to be safe for use.
In addition, AVA conducted safety assessments on disposable polystyrene food wares and cutleries.
Laboratory results showed that residual styrene levels in these polystyrene products do not pose
any health risk to consumers.
The safety and suitability of six new food ingredients and eight new food additives for use
in general and special purpose foods were assessed. The scope of two existing food additives
(ascorbyl palmitate and polydextrose) was assessed and proposed to be increased, based on
available safety information.
Amendments to the Food Regulations
Two amendments were made to the Food Regulations in FY 2012.
On 2 May 2012, the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2012 was gazetted with the following
changes:
• Adoption of a trans fat limit of 2g per 100g product (2 percent w/w) for edible fats and oils
• Implementation of mandatory nutrition labelling (in the form of a nutrition information
panel) for retail packs of edible fats and oils. Trans fat content is to be declared in the nutrition
information panel.
3 September 2012, the Food (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2012 was gazetted with the
following changes:
• Provision to use new food additives, and to use existing additives in more food categories.
• Incorporation of maximum limits for aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) in food in general, aflatoxin
M1 in milk, patulin in fruit juice, and 3-MCPD in soy sauce and oyster sauce.
At the 35th Codex Alimentarius Commission, 20 new or revised Codex standards or related texts,
as well as many new or revised provisions for additives and Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for
pesticides and veterinary drugs, were adopted for country reference.
• Revision of the maximum limit for vinyl chloride monomer used in food packaging materials.
31
FOOD INCIDENTS MANAGEMENT
In the event of unexpected food safety incidents, AVA has in place a crisis management structure
to enable quick response to the threats. Through swift response, AVA was able to deal with past
incidents effectively and maintain public confidence in the food available in Singapore.
Nuclear Crisis Incident in Japan
Following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on 11 March 2011 and the resulting radiation
leakage from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, radioactive contaminants
were detected in food from Fukushima and its neighbouring prefectures. This resulted in the
suspension of imports of milk and milk products, seafood, meat, fruits, and vegetables from
Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma prefectures. In addition, imports of fruits and vegetables
from Chiba, Kanagawa, Tokyo, and Saitama prefectures were also suspended.
During the FY, AVA tested 5,067 samples of food products including seafood, vegetables, fruits,
meat, and eggs from Japan.
We also worked closely with the Japanese authorities to impose the requirement for a certificate
of origin (COO) to accompany each shipment of Japanese products entering Singapore. The
submission rate for COO improved to close to 90 percent for the majority of consignments, since
the requirement was implemented in 2011.
With AVA’s continual risk assessment and review of our sampling results, we lifted the import
bans on milk and milk products, meat and meat products, table hen eggs, seafood, fruits, and
vegetables from Chiba, Ibaraki, Gunma, Kanagawa, Saitama, Tochigi, and Tokyo prefectures. Each
consignment must be accompanied by a COO and a pre-export laboratory report to certify that
the imported food product is free from radionuclide contaminant.
Adulteration of Mutton in Local Retail Stores
In May 2012, AVA and NEA collaborated in a national surveillance effort to combat adulteration
in mutton products, following a complaint that a local restaurant was selling mutton dishes that
were substituted with beef.
As part of the surveillance effort, samples from retail outlets, restaurants, hawker stalls, and
local meat cutting plants were collected for multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analyses.
Samples from two retail market stalls were found to be adulterated with beef. As a result, the
licences of these two stalls were suspended.
Food-borne Disease Outbreak Caused by E. coli in Canada and US
AVA maintains a high vigilance over outbreaks of food poisoning overseas and ensures that
heightened testing is carried out to ensure food safety in Singapore. These incidents included
the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in raw beef trimmings in Canada and the US in September 2012,
as well as the detection of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli in baby spinach in the US in January 2013.
None of the pathogens was detected in the samples tested by AVA.
Benzo(a)pyrene Contamination in Korea
In October 2012, benzo(a)pyrene, which is carcinogenic, was reportedly detected in six types of
instant noodles products (including udon) produced in South Korea. Food authorities in China,
Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Vietnam also reported detection of benzo(a)pyrene in instant
noodles from South Korea.
AVA initiated immediate sampling and testing of instant noodles available for sale in Singapore.
Results showed that they met our food safety requirements and were not contaminated by
benzo(a)pyrene.
32
Following reports of food poisoning cases linked to a local hotel from 29 December 2012 to 5
January 2013, AVA tested 20 food samples for Norovirus. The testing was done in synergy with
the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA), under Singapore’s One
Health platform. MOH confirmed that the final causative agent of the food poisoning outbreak
was Norovirus.
Separately on 13 January 2013, AVA was notified of a gastroenteritis outbreak in another local
hotel. AVA, MOH and NEA carried out joint investigations and collected raw oyster samples from
the hotel for microbiological and Norovirus testing. The suspected implicated consignment was
traced back to the importers and more live oyster samples were collected for testing. Norovirus
was detected in these oysters, and AVA subsequently implemented hold-and-test procedures
for oysters from the implicated importer until they were declared to be free of Norovirus
contamination.
Dicyandiamide Contamination in New Zealand
Following reports in January 2013 that some New Zealand milk products were contaminated
with dicyandiamide (DCD), a fertiliser additive, AVA immediately initiated a sampling and testing
programme to evaluate its potential risk to local consumers, especially babies and young children.
Various types of milk products of New Zealand origin were sampled for laboratory testing. The
test results showed that a small percentage of New Zealand milk products imported earlier into
Singapore contained very minute levels of DCD, which was well within the safety limits set by
international regulatory bodies, and hence posed no risk to consumer health.
Horse Meat Scandal in Europe
In February 2013, following the detection of horse meat in minced meat in processed beef
products in Europe, AVA tested imported and locally produced products containing meat for
horse DNA. None of the samples were found to contain horse DNA.
The horse meat scandal also raised concerns that residues of phenylbutazones, a drug used to
treat horses, might have entered the food chain. The drug is banned for use in animals intended
for human consumption, due to its serious adverse effects in human.
To maintain public confidence and safeguard public health, AVA tested for phenylbutazone
in meat products imported from European countries, as well as those produced locally under
European brands. A variety of meat products, such as sausages, hams, and meat balls were tested.
All the samples tested were found to be negative for phenylbutazone.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION
AVA engages the local food industry through regular meetings, workshops, and dialogue sessions
to share information, and foster collaboration and mutual understanding.
Dialogue Sessions and Taskforces
AVA held annual dialogue sessions with local food associations, namely the Singapore Fruits and
Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association (SFVIEA), SFMA, SMF, SIAS, MTA, PMA, and EIETA.
These dialogue sessions provided an effective platform for both AVA and the industry to discuss
matters that are beneficial to trade and the public. Arising from the dialogue sessions, two joint
taskforces were formed to look into specific matters.
Food-borne Disease Outbreak caused by Norovirus in Singapore
A joint taskforce for consumer education on food safety, consisting members from AVA, SFMA,
SMF, and SIAS, was formed to explore how AVA and the industry can work together to strengthen
public education initiatives on food safety. Ideas and suggestions were generated from the
taskforce during the FY, which were further discussed during planning of consumer education
programmes.
33
Another joint taskforce consisting members from AVA, SMFA, SMF and SIAS, was set up to look
into facilitating exports of locally produced food and matters relating to import and export of
food. In FY 2012, the taskforce, as well as representatives from MTA, PMA, and EIETA, jointly
developed a checklist for the assessment of cold stores and food storage warehouses. This
checklist would be used for routine inspections, grading audits, and warehouse inspections with
effect from May 2013.
AVA holds annual dialogue sessions with local food industry associations, such as the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, to discuss
matters that are beneficial to trade and the public.
POWER Session
As part of AVA’s engagement with stakeholders and customers, AVA organised a POWER or “Public
Officers Working on Eliminating Red Tape” session to jointly work on improving the Veterinary
Health Certificate application processes. The session also aimed to enhance information flow
between external stakeholders and AVA, as well as further involve stakeholders in the review of
our processes.
Industry Trainings and Roadshows
AVA conducts regular industry technical
seminars to provide insights into the areas
of food safety management, food hygiene
practices, and HACCP system. During
FY 2012, AVA conducted 26 sessions of
industry seminars that reached out to
2,102 participants from 861 companies.
During the FY, we also introduced bimonthly food safety roadshows for AVAlicensed food establishments. Through the
deployment of the AVA Food Safety Bus
and informative displays set up on-site, the
roadshow aims to bring the “classroom”
Through the deployment of the AVA Food Safety Bus and
closer to the food handlers and raise
informative displays set up on-site, the bi-monthly Food
their awareness on GMP, HACCP, and
Safety Roadshow raises the food handlers’ awareness on
food safety. In FY 2012, 797 participants
GMP, HACCP, and food safety.
from 156 companies attended the four
roadshows conducted at Shimei East Kitchen & Gourmet East Kitchen, Food Xchange @ Admiralty,
KA Foodlink, and Jurong Food Hub.
AVA also gave lectures on “International Food Standards – Codex Alimentarius”, “Singapore
Food Legislation and Role of Government Agencies” and “Food Labelling and Advertisement” to
students from the Singapore Polytechnic – Massey University Food Technology Degree Programme
on 4 April 2012.
34
The Advisory Committee on the Evaluation of Health Claims, comprising reputable experts from
government bodies, tertiary institutions, and the industry, was formed in August 2009. In FY 2012,
10 applications were received and evaluated by the Advisory Committee. Of the 10 applications,
eight were rejected due to insufficient scientific evidence. The remaining two were similar to the
AVA-approved claims.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IN FOOD SAFETY
Through the Food Safety Awards Night and public education programmes, AVA continues to
emphasise the importance of the industry’s and consumers’ roles in ensuring food safety.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & National Development, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, AVA Chairman, Mr Koh Soo
Keong, and AVA CEO Ms Tan Poh Hong with our Food Safety Partners at the Food Safety Awards Night.
Food Safety Awards Night
The Food Safety Awards Night was held on 13 July 2012. Senior Minister of State, Ministry of
Trade and Industry & Ministry of National Development, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, graced the event as
Guest-of-Honour and presented four Gold, six Silver, and seven Bronze awards to winners of the
Food Safety Excellence Scheme.
Food Safety Partners, who have worked hand-in-hand with AVA to educate consumers on food
safety, and have maintained good food safety practices in their factory premises, were also
recognised. AVA renewed the partnership status of three companies: Nestle Singapore (Pte) Ltd,
Singapore Food Industries Ltd, and Tai Hua Food Industries Pte Ltd.
Food Safety Public Education
To ensure food safety from farm to fork, all parties in the food chain from government to food
industries to consumers must play a role. While food industries and the government continue to
work together to ensure food sold in Singapore is safe for consumption, it is also important to
ensure consumers are equipped with good food safety knowledge so that food is safe at the point
of consumption.
Collaborations with Other Agencies
In FY 2012, 40 food safety talks and 49 learning journeys were conducted to educate students and
adults on the importance of practising food safety tips at home. A total of 60 food safety mascot
tours were carried out in 30 supermarket outlets over six weeks.
AVA also participated in community events, such as the Geylang Serai Town Day, Tampines West
Emergency Preparedness Day, and Cold Storage Kids’ Run.
35
In addition, interactive modular displays were
developed and roved to schools and community
events to educate public on food safety.
A total of 45 student ambassadors enrolled in the
Food Safety Student Ambassador Programme in FY
2012. These students completed a project to develop
a giant story book, which was used during such
community events. This giant story book, together
with educational puppets shows, arts and crafts
activities, and games, was also featured in library
exhibitions conducted in June and December 2012
at the Ang Mo Kio Public Library and Jurong West
Public Library, respectively.
In conjunction with the Food Safety month of July
2012, print and outdoor advertisements were put
up to educate the public on Food Safety tips to
observe at home. Food Safety tips were also posted
on AVA’s Facebook and Twitter to reach out to consumers online.
AVA’s food safety mascot, Oscar the otter, at a supermarket tour
conducted by AVA.
AVA reached out to travellers to inform them of the restrictions on animal, plant and food items
that could be brought into Singapore through a targeted mass media campaign that included
print advertisements and outdoor advertising, such as bus hangers and lamp post banners at
the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints during key travel periods. AVA also collaborated with a
travel agency to produce 20,000 envelopes printed with travellers’ guidelines and information. To
complement the mass media campaign, AVA also distributed more than 26,000 folders with our
key messages at the NATAS Travel Fair in August 2012.
36
Functions
Performance
Indicators
Health
Certificates
Quality
Tests
2,576
4,371
No. of
samples
tested
No. of
laboratory
tests
performed
12,292
Import
Control
Service &
Surveillance
R&D and
Quality
Assurance
Total
33,199
14,894
9,555
64,595
88,679 1,322,261
456,135
20,437
1,899,804
ONGOING SURVEILLANCE OF FOOD PRODUCTS FY 2012
Meat / Meat Products
Heavy metals, preservatives & additives (sulphur dioxide, boric
acid, sorbic acid, colouring matter), poly-chlorinated biphenyls,
dioxins, radioactivity, beta-agonist, nitrofuran, chloramphenicol,
other antibiotics, hormones and growth promotants,
staphylococcal enterotoxins, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp.,
Listeria monocytogenes, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci,
Campylobacter spp., parasites, anthrax contamination, physical
quality, freeze-thaw, species id
Seafood / Seafood
Heavy metals, preservatives & additives (sulphur dioxide, boric
Products
acid, sorbic acid, colouring matter), formaldehyde, radioactivity,
nitrofuran, chloramphenicol, malachite green and its metabolites,
other antibiotics, marine toxins, Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp.,
noroviruses, Hepatitis A and other viruses, parasites, histamine,
anthrax contamination
Fruits & Vegetables
Pesticide residues, sulphur dioxide, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella
spp., Listeria monocytogenes, anthrax contamination, parasites,
heavy metals, nitrates and nitrites
Processed Food
Microorganisms, bacterial toxins, synthetic organic colours, sudan
dyes, para red, non-permitted colours, chemical preservatives,
artificial sweetening agents, mycotoxins, heavy metals, migration
of metals, antioxidants, 3- monochloro-propane-1,2-diol,
1,3-dichloropropanol, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, non-
VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY – PERFORMANCE OUTPUT FY 2012
permitted flavouring agents, acrylamide, formaldehyde, residual
chemicals in food-contact articles, migration of chemicals from
food-contact articles, ethyl carbamate, N-nitrosamines, mineral
hydrocarbons, bromate, pesticide residues, drug residues,
radionuclide contaminants, trihalomethanes, screening of
irradiated food, adulterants, food authentication, semicarbazide,
benzene and histamine
37
ensuring the safety
of imported food
Surveillance, Monitoring, Inspection & Sampling were conducted on:
meat
73,711
2,535
2,085
837
consignments inspected
seafood
Egg
products
fresh fruit/
vegetables
629
samples tested
consignments
inspected
9,879
consignments
inspected
8,553
processed
food
samples tested
1,271
samples tested
56,835 items from retail outlets inspected
total
1,899,804
38
lab tests
performed on
Surveillance, Monitoring, Inspection & Sampling were conducted on:
5 poultry farms
120 coastal fish farms
46 vegetable farms
9 land-based fish farms
1,480
food processing
establishments including:
• 1 pig abattoir
• 14 chicken / duck slaughterhouse
• 795 registered warehouses and
cold stores
1,000 on-site inspections to evaluate new license
applications, changes in layout and suitability of location
for food usage
1,656 audit inspections under AVA's food factory
grading scheme
Inspections for special slaughtering of goats and sheeps
for religious purpose
5,882 inspections at food processing establishments and
cold stores to ensure proper hygiene practices are observed
2,192 processed food samples tested
ensuring the safety of
locally produced food
64,595 samples
of imported & locally produced food
39
HEALTHY AND
HAPPY ANIMALS
40
Our comprehensive and integrated programmes
effectively prevent the introduction of animal diseases
into Singapore. At the same time, we also safeguard
the welfare of animals in our community.
41
Safeguarding Animal Health
and Welfare
AVA continued to keep the nation free from major exotic and zoonotic diseases, such as the Foot
and Mouth Disease (FMD), rabies, Nipah virus infection, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI),
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), anthrax, and brucellosis. We do so via comprehensive
and integrated programmes that ensure both animals and humans in Singapore stay healthy and
safe from such threats.
PREVENTING THE INTRODUCTION OF
ANIMAL DISEASES
AVA exercises a range of strategies to guard against
the introduction and spread of animal diseases in
Singapore. The regulation of animal imports into
Singapore is a key strategy. In addition, AVA maintains
a comprehensive animal disease surveillance
programme, which includes the surveillance of
local and imported animal populations for harmful
pathogens.
AVA also closely monitors the animal disease
situation in our trading partners. In the event of an
Imported dogs are quarantined at AVA’s Sembawang Animal
outbreak of a disease of concern, AVA may suspend
Quarantine Station to ensure exotic diseases, such as rabies, are
imports from affected countries to prevent the
not introduced into Singapore.
introduction of the disease to Singapore. When the
disease outbreak is over, or when AVA assesses that
the necessary risk mitigation measures have been implemented, AVA will lift the suspension from
such countries to minimise trade disruption.
Review of Import and Quarantine Conditions
Veterinary conditions for the importation of dogs and cats, horses, laboratory animals, as well as
sheep and goats for slaughter were reviewed in FY 2012. On 22 February 2013, AVA introduced
import conditions for bringing in embryos, ova and semen of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice,
rats, and gerbils for laboratory purposes.
Import Conditions for Dogs and Cats
AVA imposes quarantine and vaccination requirements
on imported dogs and cats, after assessing each
exporting country’s rabies status and disease control
measures. This risk-based system, which categorises
countries according to their rabies status, has been
instrumental in keeping Singapore free from rabies.
AVA constantly reviews this risk-based system so that
countries can be re-categorised when their rabies
situation changes. In FY 2012, AVA’s assessment led
to the re-classification of Liechtenstein to Category B.
Other countries in this category with a negligible risk
of rabies include Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong,
Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway.
42
AVA imposes quarantine and vaccination
requirements on imported dogs and cats.
a) Removed the requirement for mandatory Chlamydophila felis vaccination prior to export.
b) Streamlined the timeframe for ectoparasite and endoparasite treatments, such that both
treatments can be done between two and seven days of export.
c) Replaced the requirement of “AVA-approved inactivated vaccine” with “inactivated vaccine
or recombinant vaccine acceptable to AVA” for rabies vaccination prior to export. The rabies
vaccine must be approved in the country of export.
d) Included fourth generation and below crosses of Savannah cats in the breed restrictions.
Import Conditions for Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are a useful companions and aid for people with disabilities. AVA reviewed
the veterinary conditions for the import of assistance dogs, in consultation with the Guide Dog
Association for the Blind. Under the revised conditions, which came into effect on 4 May 2012,
AVA now provides an import/export permit that allows multiple entries and exits for the assistance
dog to bring greater convenience to assistance dog owners who travel frequently. In addition,
AVA has waived the permit and inspection fees associated with the import/export of assistance
dogs.
Import Conditions for Horses
In May 2012, AVA removed the additional veterinary certification requirement for West Nile
Virus for imported horses, as it was no longer necessary. However, we continued to retain the
requirement to certify that the horses have not suffered from or been exposed to West Nile virus
infection, or have been in premises infected with West Nile Virus infection, before export.
Import Conditions for Sheep and Goats for Slaughter
To further diversify the sources of animals for religious slaughtering in Singapore, AVA approved
Canada as a country for import of sheep and goat, with effect from 24 February 2013.
Declaration for Live Food Fish for Local Farming
With effect from 1 January 2013, all importers bringing in live food fish for farming were required
to declare their import sources. Source declaration would enable prompt trace-back during
disease outbreaks or detections, as well as issuance of advisory to all importers to cease importing
susceptible species from the implicated source. In addition, it facilitates the identification of
sources of healthy fish stocks.
Issuance of Licences and Permits
In FY 2012, AVA issued 49,218 import licences/permits for animals, birds, eggs, veterinary biologics,
and animal products.
Category
Pigs, poultry, and eggs
Animals (dogs, cats, small mammals, livestock, zoo animals)
No. of Permits Issued
34,939
3,158
Biologics
204
Birds
134
Ornamental fishes
Eggs (Specific Pathogen-Free eggs, specimens for laboratory tests)
Products (blood, sera, urine, clinical specimens)
Total
Additionally, AVA made the following changes to the veterinary conditions for the import of dogs
and cats:
10,199
31
553
49,218
43
Enhanced Annual Registration for Poultry, Live Frogs, and Livestock
All local poultry farms were monitored for SE and AI in FY 2012. Two local poultry farms were
detected with SE, and eggs from these flocks were sent to an AVA-approved liquid-egg processing
plant. An isolation order issued for all infected flocks was subsequently lifted after being tested
negative for SE in two consecutive rounds. In addition, all ornamental bird farms were monitored
in FY 2012 for AI and Newcastle Disease. AVA inspected these farms to ensure vigilance in biosecurity and upkeep of good farm management practices.
Under the new system, poultry, live frog, and livestock importers would be required to apply for
an annual importer licence, which would be automatically renewed when importers make an
annual declaration on whether there are any changes to their details. Those who fail to make
the annual declaration would have their licences cancelled. This system allows AVA to keep upto-date records of active importers, which would in turn facilitate product traceability and recall.
Imported Live Poultry
All imports of poultry (chickens and ducks) and eggs
were regularly sampled to test for Avian Influenza (AI),
Salmonella spp., and other contaminants. Salmonella
Enteritidis (SE) was detected in five batches of live
chicken samples, and the five farms that supplied these
chickens were suspended. One layer farm was also
suspended after SE was detected in the eggs sampled.
AVA officers inspect imported live poultry at checkpoints.
Additionally, two consignments of chickens and one
consignment of hen eggs were rejected due to labelling
infringements.
Imported Live Pigs
AVA continued to monitor imported pigs for swine influenza as part of our animal health
surveillance programme. Following a detection of the A/H1N1 (2009) strain of influenza in August
2012, AVA worked with the source farm to ensure only healthy pigs were exported to Singapore.
The affected areas within the farm were closely monitored and biosecurity measures were put in
place to minimise the spread of the disease. Tests done by AVA showed that the swine influenza
virus was not detected in pork sold in Singapore and the meat is safe for consumption.
Import Requirements for Ornamental Fish
During the FY, AVA reviewed the
requirement for imported ornamental fishes
to be accompanied by an official health
certificate. As some overseas sources faced
difficulties in providing the required health
certificates, we studied the alternate risk
mitigation measures that could be applied.
Following the review, AVA now provides
importers with the option of post-import
testing as an alternative way to meet our
import requirements for healthy ornamental
fishes. Under such circumstances, imported
batches will undergo a hold-and-test process
by AVA, which involves sampling and
testing for diseases of concern. Once tested
negative, the batches will be released from
quarantine for sale.
44
Imported ornamental fishes that are not accompanied
with an official health certificate will undergo a hold-andtest process by AVA, which involves sampling and testing
for diseases of concern. Once tested negative, the batches
will be released from quarantine for sale.
Domestic Poultry and Ornamental Bird Farms
All local poultry farms were monitored for SE and AI in FY 2012. Two local quail farms were also
monitored for the Newcastle Disease. Two local poultry farms were detected with SE and the
infected flocks were treated with pro-biotics and organic acids. Eggs from these flocks were sent
to an AVA-approved liquid-egg processing plant. An isolation order issued for all infected flocks
was subsequently lifted after being tested negative for SE in two consecutive rounds. In addition,
all ornamental bird farms were monitored in FY 2012 for AI and Newcastle Disease. AVA inspected
these farms to ensure vigilance in bio-security and upkeep of good farm management practices.
Livestock Farms
During FY 2012, our local ruminant farms continued to be free from BSE, Bovine Tuberculosis,
FMD, Listeria, Brucella, Campylobacter and Salmonella. Three local ruminant farms that had been
tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 continued to be put under isolation order. The farms were
advised to treat their cattle with pro-biotics and the pasteurised milk produced by the farms was
tested to ensure it was safe for human consumption.
Fish Farms
AVA continued to monitor for notifiable and emerging diseases of economic importance to
the aquatic animal industry. Surveillance was conducted on both coastal and land-based fish
farms, and results showed that Singapore remained free from Spring Viraemia of Carp Virus and
Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome in FY 2012.
Passive surveillance, which involves testing suspect cases only, was carried out for the following
freshwater diseases in local fish farms: Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, Infectious haematopoietic
necrosis, Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis, and Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis.
During FY 2012, Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) was detected in two batches of imported koi and two
batches of locally bred koi. Immediate measures were taken to control the spread of the disease
and all affected batches of koi were culled. AVA issued isolation orders on the farm premises,
which were lifted after two rounds of consecutive negative testing.
White Spot Syndrome Virus was detected in crayfish from one ornamental fish farm. AVA
imposed isolation orders to restrict movement of all crustaceans within the premises and culled
all diseased and in-contact crustaceans. The quarantine order was lifted after proper disinfection
and treatment of affected tanks and equipment was completed.
Other diseases surveyed for in freshwater ornamental fish for FY 2012 included Furunculosis
(caused by Aeromonas Salmonicida).
Marine fish diseases, such as Red Sea Bream Iridovirus (RSIV), Infectious Spleen and Kidney
Necrosis Virus, Viral Nervous Necrosis Virus (VNNV), Big Belly and Norcardiosis were detected in
local coastal food fish farms in FY 2012. As RSIV is an OIE notifiable virus, AVA imposed movement
restrictions on the affected farms, culled the infected and clinically sick fish, and monitored the
existing stock. Following the approval of RSIV vaccine (MSD) for use in Singapore, farms were
given the option of vaccinating clean stock prior to stocking.
Local Disease Surveillance
AVA also continued to assist farmers to screen imported fry for diseases of concern prior to
stocking fish in their farms, under the voluntary Imported Fingerling Surveillance Programme.
VNNV was detected in imported fish fingerlings sampled under the programme. AVA advised
affected farmers on managing these diseases and the culling of sick fish to minimise the spread
of diseases.
45
LABORATORY CAPABILITIES
The Animal Health Laboratories (AHL) located at AVA’s Animal and Plant Health Centre (APHC)
is the national reference laboratory for the diagnosis of animal diseases and testing of animal
vaccines.
In FY 2012, AHL conducted a total of 164,582 laboratory tests to detect and identify diseases
in animals, birds and fish. Besides acquiring new detection techniques to keep abreast of the
rigorous import health certification requirements of other countries and thus facilitate agri-trade
for stakeholders, AHL also continuously updates and develops new methods to improve upon
existing pathogen detection and disease diagnosis protocols.
During the FY, AHL expanded its diagnostic repertoire, to include testing capabilities for the
serological diagnosis of FMD serotypes O, A, Asia 1 and C, as the molecular detection of Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus.
In addition, AHL’s test repertoire for aquatic pathogens increased as a result of its collaboration
with MSD Animal Health. In the FY, we set up three multiplex PCR methods to simultaneously
detect Iridovirus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptotoccus iniae in freshwater fish, multiple
S. agalactiae serotypes in freshwater fish, and Streptococcus iniae, Big Belly bacterium, and
Iridovirus in marine fish. A new PCR for Francisella was also set up as a result of this collaboration,
and another for Flavobacterium columnare is currently being validated.
AHL also established the Necrotising Hapatopancreatitis Bacteria PCR method to facilitate the
export of shrimps.
On-going developments included a PCR assay for the detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
in frogs, as well as an Equine paratyphoid (Salmonella Abortusequi) Tube Agglutination Test;
complement fixation tests for the detection of dourine and glanders, and real-time PCR assays for
the detection of piroplasmosis to facilitate the export of horses.
AHL’s work is underscored by a commitment to quality systems and has been accredited to
ISO/IEC 17025 since 2006. Its high laboratory testing standards were reflected in its continued
accreditation in the field of chemical and biological testing under the Singapore Accreditation
Council – Singapore Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (SAC-SINGLAS). All the animal health
laboratories continued to meet the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standards. AHL added
three new accredited tests in the FY, bringing the total to 105 accredited tests. In addition, AHL
demonstrated good performance in the 13 inter-laboratory proficiency quality assurance testing
programmes administered by internationally recognised laboratories.
Safeguarding Against Bird Flu
During the FY, AVA inspected all local poultry farms to ensure that bio-security and bio-segregation
measures were strictly adhered to, and that all poultry houses were bird-proofed. Samples were
also collected fortnightly for AI testing. We collaborated with the National Parks Board (NParks)
on the surveillance of HPAI in migratory and wild birds in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves,
Pulau Ubin, and Singapore Botanic Gardens. The 459 samples collected tested negative for HPAI.
The swans in the Singapore Botanic Gardens were given AI booster vaccination shots. Cloacae
swabs sampled from the swans were negative for HPAI.
In collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA), 1,090 urban birds (crows, pigeons,
mynahs and others) were also tested and found to be free of AI virus.
ANIMAL WELFARE
AVA safeguards the welfare of animals and prevents animal cruelty through regulation and
education. In this role, AVA has to deal with a spectrum of attitudes towards animals, which range
from people who find animals a nuisance to those who champion their welfare.
46
The review was chaired by Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ang Mo Kio
Group Representation Constituency and Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee
for National Development. The committee comprised other MPs, community leaders, as well as
representatives from the animal welfare groups, pet industry, and veterinary profession.
Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, CEO of AVA, Ms Tan Poh Hong (7th from left), Senior
Minister of State for National Development, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin (8th from left), and Chairman of AWLRC, Mr Yeo Guat
Kwang (9th from left), with AWLRC members at an appreciation dinner.
The AWLRC held six consultation sessions involving more than 170 participants from the pet
industry, grassroots leaders, veterinarians, as well as animal welfare groups and activists to
gather their views on the matter. It also reached out to the public through a one-month long
e-consultation, which received views from 570 respondents.
The AWLRC proposed 24 legislative and non-legislative recommendations to further promote
animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. These recommendations, grouped under the
following four thrusts, were submitted to MND on 1 March 2013:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Ensuring reasonable care and welfare of animals
Increasing deterrence and stepping up action against wrongdoers
Fostering greater responsibility in industry to ensure animal welfare
Fostering greater responsibility amongst pet owners and greater community awareness of
animal welfare
AVA would be working with the relevant stakeholders to operationalise the recommendations
once they are accepted by MND.
In April 2012, the Ministry of National Development (MND) set up an Animal Welfare Legislation
Review Committee (AWLRC) to review the current legislation on animal welfare, and provide
recommendations to the Government on the necessary amendments to strengthen the legislation
on animal welfare. The AWLRC was also tasked to recommend the relevant approaches to enhance
stakeholders’ collaboration on animal welfare.
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Composition of the AWLRC
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang
(Committee Chairman)
Member of Parliament, Ang Mo Kio Group Representation
Constituency (GRC)
Mr Alex Yam
Member of Parliament, Chua Chu Kang GRC
Mr Gan Thiam Poh
Member of Parliament, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
Ms Corrine Fong
Executive Director, Singapore Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals
Mr Louis Ng
Executive Director, Animal Concerns Research & Education
Society
Dr Siew Tuck Wah
President, Save Our Street Dogs
Dr Cathy Chan
Representative from Singapore Veterinary Association
Mr Eric Lim
Representative from Pet Enterprises and Traders Association
of Singapore
Mr Chua Ming Kok
Representative from Pet Enterprises and Traders Association
of Singapore
Mr Lakshmanan s/o Nagarajan Chairman, Woodgrove Zone 9 RC and Auditor, Woodgrove
Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC)
Mr Clarence Tan Kok Cheow
General Manager, Ang Mo Kio Town Council
Regulating Pet Retailers and Dog Farms
In FY 2012, there were 258 licensed pet shops, as compared
to 256 in the preceding year. Regular inspections were
carried out in pet shops to ensure compliance with
licensing conditions and that shop standards were
maintained. Fifteen pet shops were issued compound
fines for failure to comply with licensing conditions, as
compared to 13 in the last FY.
An AVA officer (right) inspects the premises of a
pet shop.
AVA grades pet shops to enhance competencies and
standards, and to inform the public of the standard of
the pet shop that they patronise. The shops were graded
according to their compliance with licensing conditions
and adoption of best practices. The grades were
displayed in the shop and also on AVA’s website. In FY
2012, 75 percent of pet shops graded attained either A or
B grades. One shop was graded D.
Enforcement against Animal Cruelty
In FY 2012, AVA investigated 484 complaints of alleged animal cruelty. Of these, one offender was
prosecuted and four others were issued composition fines. No actions were taken in a few cases
due to insufficient evidence. For the majority of cases, counselling was provided as appropriate.
Regulating Research Institutions
AVA licenses animal research facilities that use animals for scientific purposes. Research facilities
are required to comply with guidelines set by the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory
Animal Research (NACLAR) on the care and use of animals in research. As at 31 March 2013, there
were 29 research facilities with 62 licensed premises. Animal holding facilities were inspected
annually, while procedural rooms inspected every other year. Going forward, AVA will continue
working with NACLAR to update our guidelines to be in line with international developments.
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Besides surveillance and regulation, AVA also places importance on educating the public on
responsible pet ownership.
In FY 2012, AVA adopted the theme “Animals & Our Community” with the sub-messages “Be a
considerate pet owner”, “Sterilise your pet to prevent unwanted litters” (targeting potential pet
owners) and “Resolve pet issues amicably” (targeting existing pet owners and non-pet owners)
in its efforts to raise public awareness on responsible pet ownership (RPO), and promote a
harmonious living environment for pet owners and non-pet owners alike.
The annual RPO Roadshow was held at the Singapore Expo on 10-11 November 2012, with the support of our
RPO partners.
RPO Roadshow and Community Events
To reach out directly to members of the public, the annual RPO Roadshow was held at the
Singapore Expo on 10-11 November 2012, with Mr Tan Chuan Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower
and Senior Minister of State for National Development as the Guest-of-Honour. The RPO Roadshow
was supported by AVA’s RPO Partners – Animal Lovers League, Action For Singapore Dogs (ASD),
Animal Concerns Research & Education Society, Cat Welfare Society (CWS), House Rabbit Society
Singapore (HRSS), NParks, Noah’s Ark Society, Singapore Kennel Club, and the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) – and included activities such as dog obedience training
demonstrations, competitions, a children’s activity corner, a pet café, and seminars.
A mass media campaign was launched to drive visitorship to the RPO Roadshow and spread the
theme of the year. This included newspaper and online advertisements, free postcards, and bus
hangers.
Public Education Programme on Responsible Pet Ownership
For the first time, three community events took place in FY 2012 at various locations around
Singapore to reach out to the heartlands. The first one kicked off on 9 – 10 June 2012, with Mr
Cedric Foo, MP of Pioneer SMC as the Guest-of-Honour. The event was co-organised by Jurong
Point Shopping Centre and CWS, and included activities such as dog obedience trainings, pet
adoption drive, puppet show, and celebrity appearances.
On 11 – 12 August, the second community event took place at Causeway Point Shopping Centre
with CWS returning as co-organisers. HRSS and the SPCA also joined as new co-organisers.
49
The third and final community event took place at HDB Hub on 16 – 17 March 2013 with CWS,
HRSS, and SPCA resuming the roles as co-organisers. The activities included a dog grooming
demonstration, storytelling for the children, exhibition of the interactive displays, and pet
adoption.
Outreach via Online and Print Platforms
The Pet Central blog (www.petsforlife.com.sg)
introduced regular series, including “Beat the
Monday Blues” videos, “Pet Care Tips”, “Pet
Adoption Fridays” (featuring AWGs’ adoptable
animals), and “Friends of the Animals” in the
FY. A new e-game was also completed and made
available on Pet Central.
An online Creative Expression Competition
was held via Pet Central from 8 October to
23 November 2012. The competition was
officially launched at the RPO Roadshow 2012.
A second online competition called Name The
A dog obedience demonstration attracted large crowds during the
“Animal and Our Community” event on 16-17 March, 2013.
RPO Hero Contest was launched in mid-March.
The objective was to select the best names to
represent the four pet heroes (dog, cat, rabbit and hamster), which are cartoon characters that
AVA developed to help spread the RPO messages in our collaterals.
QR codes that linked to the Pet Central website were developed in collaboration with Nanyang
Polytechnic and were incorporated into collaterals such as publications, posters, and free cards.
In addition, a Facebook group named “A Pet is For Life” was launched in May 2012.
The first joint AVA-AWGs publication, titled “Animals & Our Community”, was produced and
launched at the first RPO community event at Jurong Point Shopping Centre in June 2012. A new
i-Pet e-newsletter was also developed and sent out to all supporters in end January 2013.
Four short animation videos were produced to cover all the sub-messages of the RPO programme,
including “Don’t get a pet on impulse”, “Don’t abandon your pet”, “Sterilise your pet” and “Be a
considerate pet owner”. These videos are available on Pet Central and YouTube.
Other Outreach Efforts
AVA also participated in community and industry related
events organised by schools, community clubs, Singapore
Kennel Club, and Singapore Press Holdings.
A total of 18 school talks and 25 learning journeys for
8,725 students and teachers were conducted throughout
FY 2012. We engaged teachers and students in RPO
activities through our RPO Ambassador Programmes,
which included training and learning opportunities in
RPO events or projects. A total of 89 Student Ambassadors
enrolled in our Ambassador Programme.
AVA also tapped on the use of a puppet show, in
collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, to spread RPO
messages at the libraries.
AVA, together with NEA and HDB, conducted house
visits to educate residents about RPO. In April 2012, we
covered 204 households in Punggol North.
50
The “Animals & Our Community” booklet,
jointly produced by AVA and animal
welfare groups, was launched during the
event at Jurong Point.
ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
Licensing of Dogs
All dogs above three months of age have to be licensed by AVA for rabies control. In 2012,
AVA issued 57,165 dog licences. Enforcement was carried out on errant dog owners who did not
comply with the dog licensing rules and conditions.
First Responder Protocol
To ensure that public feedback on animal-related issues are handled effectively and efficiently,
AVA was appointed to pilot the First Responder Protocol on animal-related feedback with effect
from 1 March 2012.
Under the new protocol, AVA works together with agencies, including Singapore Land Authority,
NEA, NParks, Housing Development Board (HDB), and Town Councils, to conduct surveillance,
investigation, enforcement, and mediation work, as well as front joint replies to public feedback.
Management of Strays
AVA continued to conduct control operations to manage the stray population and ensure public
health and safety. Stray dogs, especially when in a pack, can threaten public safety. Keeping the
stray dog population in check also helps to mitigate the spread of rabies should there be an
incursion of the disease. Besides advising the management of industrial and commercial sites on
ways to control the population of stray dogs and cats on their premises, AVA also educated the
public on ways to reduce problems caused by stray dogs and cats in their neighbourhood. AVA
also worked with NParks to advise residents on ways to avoid unpleasant encounters with stray
monkeys.
Project ADORE was launched in
April 2012 to re-home suitable
mid-sized mongrel dogs in HDB
flats. This multi-agency project,
involving MND, AVA, HDB, SPCA,
and ASD, had successfully placed 21
dogs in homes as at 31 March 2013.
Adopters paid for licensing, microchipping, and boarding fees for
these dogs. They were also required
to sterilise the dogs and ensure that
the dogs are not released back into
the environment again.
In FY 2012, AVA received 9,566
cases of public feedback on animal
nuisance and impounded 1,240 stray
dogs, of which 198 were successfully
re-homed.
An AVA-AWG-Industry Taskforce on RPO education was also formed during the FY to further
reinforce RPO education and reach out to a wider audience. Through regular meetings, we aim
to provide a platform to discuss and recommend key messages and strategies for RPO education,
as well as explore opportunities for collaboration and information sharing.
An AVA officer (right) advises a resident on ways to avoid unpleasant
encounters with stray monkeys.
51
ANIMAL MANAGEMENT FY 2012
Category
No. of Cases
Licensing of Dogs
New dog licenses issued
12,497
Dog licenses renewed
44,668
Total
57,165
Control of Stray Animals and Birds
Stray dogs impounded
1,240
Stray cats impounded
1,431
Others
1,678
Total
4,349
Feedback On Animal and Bird Nuisance
Dogs
3,918
Cats
2,259
Pigeons
1,415
Monkeys
922
Others
1,052
Total
9,566
Veterinary Profession
AVA regulates the veterinary profession in Singapore and licenses veterinarians and veterinary
centres. As at 31 March 2013, there were 268 veterinarians and 56 veterinary centres licensed by
the AVA.
AVA ceased the recognition of Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons via European
Union Directive 2005/36/EC with effect from 1 April 2012.
To ensure consistency of required professional standards amongst all veterinary centres, AVA
added a new licensing condition for the centres, requiring the licensee to ensure that all veterinary
activities carried out by the veterinary centre are in accordance with AVA’s Code of Ethics at all
times.
AVA’s horizon scanning function helps the organisation to pick up reports of animal disease
outbreaks, discoveries of unexpected or novel pathogens, and changes in the behaviour of known
pathogens from open sources. AVA keeps an eye on animal diseases that can pose a threat to
overall animal and public health in Singapore, such as BSE, AI, rabies, Hendra Virus, as well as FMD
outbreaks. Our daily scanning helps enhance AVA’s operational readiness by providing lead time
for AVA to take immediate measures to safeguard the health of our animals, as well as public
health in Singapore.
52
The OIE, an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health, provides
expertise and information on animal diseases, promotes transparency in the status of world
animal diseases, and develops international standards for combating animal diseases.
To keep abreast of international standards for animal health and the control of major animal
diseases worldwide, AVA represented Singapore at the 80th General Session of the World
Assembly of Delegates of OIE held in Paris, France, from 20 to 25 May 2012.
The key items adopted at the General Session included publication of the 7th Edition of the
Aquatic Manual, a list of FMD-free countries and countries with endorsed control programmes
for FMD (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia), and a list of countries with BSE-negligible status such as
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, and Columbia.
Singapore hosted the SEACFMD meeting for the first time. Front row 7th from left to right: Director-General of OIE,
Dr Bernard Vallat; Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Defence, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin
Osman; CEO of AVA, Ms Tan Poh Hong; and Director-General of AVA, Dr Chew Siang Thai.
SEACFMD Meeting
AVA hosted the 19th meeting of the OIE Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease Control in
South-East Asia and China (SEACFMD) from 19 to 22 March 2013. It was the first time the meeting
was held in Singapore. The SEAFDEC campaign is an OIE initiative to assist regional member
countries with their FMD control and eradication activities. Held for the first time in Singapore,
the meeting was attended by participants from OIE, SEAFDEC member countries, FAO, Australia,
New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, the EU, World FMD Reference Laboratory,
Regional Reference Laboratories, and international vaccine companies.
The meeting covered regional and national
updates on FMD situation, forward direction
and objectives, and mapping of activities
(technical, advocacy and coordination) in
alignment to the global FMD control strategy.
OIE Meetings and Trainings
Emergency Preparedness
About 180 AVA officers, consisting of cullers
and support teams, took part in an exercise
to test our operational preparedness in
responding to a bird flu incident. The exercise
was conducted at AVA’s Veterinary Public
Health Centre (VPHC) and Animal and Plant
Health Centre (APHC) on 4 and 5 October
2012. The components of the training included
activation, briefings, hands-on training on
As part of an exercise to test our operational
preparedness in responding to a bird flu incident, AVA
officers were trained on several components including
the humane culling of live chickens.
53
personal protective equipment (PPE), humane culling of live chickens, and decontamination
procedures. The Singapore Civil Defence Force also participated in the training sessions to test the
component on personnel showers.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION
AVA collaborates with the industry, research institutes, local educational institutes, and overseas
partners to develop new diagnostic methods for the detection of important animal diseases,
as well as to conduct epidemiological studies of significant diseases, and enhance surveillance
efforts. Dialogue sessions were also conducted with non-government organisations to strengthen
mutual understanding and collaboration.
Vaccine and Test Method Development
AVA continued to partner Temasek Life Science Laboratory on the development of a bird flu
vaccine and monoclonal antibodies for AI. Our collaboration with Veredus Laboratories was also
in progress to produce a lab-on-chip that has the ability to detect multiple avian pathogens in
one test.
In addition, AVA continued to collaborate with Temasek Polytechnic to develop diagnostic tests
for Salmonella spp antibodies, VNNV, and shrimp viruses.
Control of Bird Flu in the Kepri Region
In FY 2012, AVA continued to engage the Indonesian veterinary authorities regularly on the
control of bird flu situation in the Kepri region in. Our officers visited Batam and Bintan regularly
to obtain information on bird flu outbreaks.
During the FY, AVA provided assistance in increasing bird flu awareness in Kepri. We embarked
on a new initiative to extend public education and outreach via the media broadcast of bird flu
messages in Batam, targeting school children and farmers.
In September 2012, AVA contributed laboratory equipment and reagents to the completed Kepri
Provincial PCR Laboratory. On-site training was provided to the laboratory officers to build up
their competency in HPAI diagnostic testing capability.
AVA also organised a training workshop for Kepri veterinarians to strengthen their capabilities in
the surveillance and control of bird flu.
Workshops, Seminars & Working Groups for Local Poultry Farms
In May 2012, AVA invited two speakers to conduct talks to local poultry farms on pro-biotics and
usage and efficacy of SE vaccine.
AVA also conducted bio-security workshops in FY 2012 to educate poultry farm owners and
workers on the importance of bio-security and their role in maintaining it.
In addition, AVA conducted workshops for poultry farm workers from three local poultry farms
on the donning and doffing of PPE, as well as humane culling of chickens. The workshops aimed
to educate the workers on proper self protective measures and procedures of culling chickens in
the event of an AI outbreak in the farms.
A newsletter containing updates on local and global matters of interest to the poultry industry,
tips on good bio-security measures, and updates on AVA’s Food Fund were distributed to local
poultry farms during the FY.
54
Training for Local Fish Farms
AVA conducted a series of training workshops
in collaboration with MSD Animal Health for
coastal fish farmers. The workshops covered
topics such as AVA’s surveillance and support
programmes, as well as common diseases in
local fish and their control strategies. We also
organised a laboratory session for farmers
to learn basic techniques on how to identify
parasites using a microscope.
AVA organised a laboratory session for farmers to
learn basic techniques on how to identify parasites
using a microscope.
A newsletter (in English and Chinese languages)
was distributed to local coastal fish farms in FY 2012. It contains updates on the local and global
aquaculture industry, AVA’s surveillance results, tips on good farm management practices, and a
guide to parasite identification.
Two working groups comprising representatives
from AVA and the local poultry layer farms
were formed to discuss matters related to SE
preventive measures and spent hens. The report
and recommendations from the SE work group
were presented during the AVA-Singapore
Livestock Farmers’ Association dialogue session
in FY 2012. Local poultry farms were given
the option to vaccinate their flocks against SE
subject to approval from AVA. In addition, the
working group will continue to explore new
options for SE prevention and work closely with
the farms.
55
56
beautiful and
lustrous plants
Through a robust science-based and internationally
recognised plant health regulatory system, we keep out
major plant pests and diseases. Take pleasure in this city’s
colourful flora, as we protect the sustainability and diversity
of Singapore’s landscape.
57
Safeguarding Plant Health
AVA is committed to protecting our local flora from the negative impact of exotic and emerging
indigenous plant pests. Through a robust science based and internationally recognised plant health
regulatory system, we aim to maintain plant biosecurity to protect the sustainability and diversity
of our landscape. Our comprehensive plant health programme, comprising import regulation
and inspection, risk analysis, as well as laboratory testing and surveillance, have successfully kept
Singapore free from important quarantine pests. These include the stored product pest Khapra
beetle, Mediterranean and Queensland fruit flies, as well as the fungal disease of rubber - the
South American Leaf Blight. Our efforts are supported by the
close cooperation and partnership with local government
agencies and plant industries.
PREVENTING THE ENTRY OF PLANT PESTS AND
DISEASES
As Singapore imports several varieties of plants that are not
grown locally, AVA works to ensure the smooth import of plants
without compromising plant health. With large amounts of
plants moving across our borders daily, AVA collaborates with
the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) and Singapore
Post to monitor imports closely, and safeguard our plants against
pests that can cause significant economic losses through reduced
yields, quality, and cost efficiency.
Import Control and Inspection
AVA regulates the import of plants and plant products through
stipulated plant health import requirements. During the FY,
31,515 import permits were issued.
AVA maintains plant biosecurity to protect the
sustainability and diversity of our landscape.
AVA also conducted 3,061 post-entry inspections to ensure
compliance with import health requirements. To detect pests,
samples were collected for laboratory tests. In cases where
injurious pests were detected, importers were given the option
of treatment, if feasible, or destruction of the consignment.
Protocol Arrangement for Imported Ornamental Plants from China
In January 2013, AVA implemented a protocol arrangement for the import of ornamental plants
from accredited nurseries in China. We worked with China's Administration, Quality Supervision of
Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) on this protocol arrangement to ensure that plants imported
from these nurseries are healthy and substantially free from pests. This would allow our importers
to save on cost and time, as requirements for post-entry inspection and treatment of the plants
would be minimised.
Imported Living Organisms
Through the administration of the Biosecurity Assurance Arrangement (BSAA) Scheme, AVA
regulated the import of living organisms, such as live insects and microorganisms, that have an
impact on the environment. Importers were required to have proper facilities and management
procedures to prevent the escape of these living organisms. AVA conducted audits on their
facilities and procedures periodically. There were 30 BSAA members at the end of the FY.
Imported Grass Consignments
Imported grass consignments that are infected with pests could potentially harm local trees and
shrubs. To prevent this, AVA monitored imported grass consignments closely.
58
In addition, 530 samples of imported grasses were tested for Phytoplasma, a bacteria-like microorganism that causes bleaching symptoms. Of these, there was one interception of Phytoplasma.
An opportunistic fungal pathogen (Curvularia species) was detected in nearly all samples of
imported grass submitted for post-entry monitoring. Based on these findings, AVA recommended
appropriate treatments for the affected nurseries to reduce pest incidents, and worked with our
counterparts in the source countries to improve the health status of their plants at source.
Plant Health Surveillance
Each year, AVA reviews our surveillance programmes to include specific surveys, with different
pests targets, in order to keep up with the rapid changes in the ecological landscape. This helps
AVA to detect pest incursions early and keep Singapore free from them, as well as to identify
potential biosecurity threats.
During the FY, two new pathogen-specific surveys (on Puccinia psidii – a quarantine fungus and
Pantoea anantis – an emerging bacterial pathogen of export trade importance) were initiated.
None of these pathogens were detected in Singapore in the survey.
Imported Plants
Imported ornamental plants can potentially introduce invasive plant pests. AVA's plant health
surveillance programmes check for the presence of exotic plant pests that could threaten local
flora and crops of economic importance.
During the FY, AVA continued our surveillance efforts on four targeted quarantine pests, viz, the
Khapra beetle, Mediterranean fruit fly, Queensland fruit fly, and South American Leaf Blight.
A total of 195 inspections were conducted on imported plants and plant products, and 1,047
samples were submitted for identification. No targeted quarantine pests were detected.
AVA also continued to carry out surveillance on imported potatoes to check for Potato Wart
Disease (PWD) and Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN). Potatoes are imported in large quantities by local
companies that re-package and re-export them with health certificates from AVA. To protect our
potato re-export industry from the risk of pest incursions
brought about by imported potatoes, AVA conducted
183 inspections on import consignments, and collected 92
and 91 samples for PCN and PWD testing, respectively. All
samples tested negative for PCN and PWD.
AVA also continued to conduct the surveillance programme
that monitors the presence of guava fruit flies (Bactrocera
correcta) on imported rose apples from Thailand. A total
of 172 samples were collected for this FY and all samples
were tested negative for the targeted pest.
A total of 542 grass samples imported from Malaysia, Thailand, and the US were monitored for
the presence of plant parasitic nematodes during the FY. In general, the plant parasitic nematodes
detected were relatively common in Singapore and their population density was presently low.
Local Plants
AVA closely monitored establishments involved in the
production of plants, flowers, and vegetables to keep
them free from pests. Singapore continued to be free
from the six targeted quarantine pests viz, the Khapra
beetle, Mediterranean fruit fly, Queensland fruit fly,
South American Leaf Blight, PWD, and PCN.
AVA's post-border control targets high volume nurseries,
local farms, and identified high risk sites near ports of
entry. In FY 2012, AVA conducted 1,298 surveillance visits
To detect pests, an AVA officer inspects
imported plants and collects their
samples for laboratory tests.
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and collected more than 16,000 samples to check for plant health status. More than 18,000 pests
were detected in these samples. Pest control advisories were provided to owners of affected
premises. The results also provided a snapshot of the health status and host-pest association of
the diverse range of plant species.
Through regular monitoring of local farms, Cochliobolus carbonum (a quarantine fungal pest) was
detected in maize plants grown in a local vegetable farm. A delimiting survey showed infection
in four more adjoining farms. All infected maize plants were eradicated and the situation was
closely monitored. No further incursions were observed in surrounding farms.
AVA also provided plant health support through regular monitoring and advisories to Sky Greens
Pte Ltd, Singapore’s first commercial vertical farm. Novel pest management methods suitable for
the new vertical system were tried, tested, and implemented in collaboration with the farm.
In early 2013, some oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) in Pasir Ris Park were found to be infected with
suspected Cercospora elaeidis, a quarantine fungal for the ASEAN region. A delimiting survey was
initiated and work is underway to ascertain the incursion.
Following an alert by NParks, AVA confirmed that coconut palms along the East Coast Park were
infested with the Black-headed Caterpillar. To control the pest, AVA collaborated with NParks to
conduct a pilot field trial that involved soil drenching of insecticides. Six months after treatment
was administered, all the coconut palms were free from infestation.
The Gardens by the Bay (GBB) frequently brings in a wide variety of
exotic plants and this presents a high risk of plant pest incursion. With
regular surveys, AVA provides the GBB with plant health advisories to
contain outbreaks of plant pests. Cataloging of pests associated with
the newly introduced exotic plant species was conducted during the FY.
Soil Health
AVA commenced monitoring surveys on Lagerstroemia, Canna and
Rain trees to establish a database containing baseline nutrients found
in the soil and tissue of these ornamental plants and trees. This
database would help to determine the healthy levels of nutrients
in plants, and enable AVA to make recommendations on fertiliser
amendments to the industry.
AVA also conducted tests on soil samples from farms, landscaping
contractors, and gardeners, to determine their nutrient levels. A large
percentage of soil samples tested for major nutrients during FY 2012
were outside the acceptable ranges for plant growth. AVA provided
the affected parties with advisories on rectifications.
Landscape companies and NParks regularly send their soil mixes to
AVA to test for conformance to soil mix specifications. Tests for pH,
electrical conductivity, organic matter level, and cation exchange
capacity showed wide variations in conformance. AVA provided
advisory on measures to be taken to ensure compliance to specifications. AVA also participated
in the revision of the new soil mix standards developed by the Centre for Urban Greenery and
Research (CUGE), NParks, in FY 2012.
Leaves of an oil palm infected with
Cercospora elaeidis.
New Plant Pest/Host Records
AVA continued to strengthen our diagnostic capability and surveillance efforts. Thirty-five new
plant pests and seven new plant hosts for Frankliniella occidentalis were detected from local and
post entry surveillance samples during the FY.
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Of these, some were notorious invasive species, while the others were important endemic pests,
either on ornamental plants or vegetable crops. Frankliniella occidentalis, an important pest, was
also detected on different host plants at GBB, local nurseries, and parks. In addition, Phenacoccus
solenopsis Tinsley, an invasive species of mealybug, was detected in Singapore. Control measures
were provided to manage these pests, and monitoring efforts were continued to ensure minimal
impact to the horticulture sector.
Pest Risk Analysis
During the FY, AVA completed seven requests by
the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee
(GMAC) Singapore to conduct risk assessments
on genetic modified (GM) crops. The import of
transgenic maize seeds (87460 and 87427) for
feed into Singapore was evaluated based on
altered pest susceptibility, weediness potential,
and gene flow. In addition, AVA conducted a
risk assessment on the proposed field trial on
GM Jatropha curcas on Semakau Island. Four
varieties of GM carnation cut flowers (Moonaqua,
Moonshade, Moonlite, and Moonberry) were also
evaluated to assess the possible risks they pose.
AVA’s plant health surveillance programmes check
for the presence of plant pests that could threaten
local flora and crops of economic importance.
Laboratory Testing for Plant Health
AVA’s Plant Health Laboratory (PHL) provides diagnostic services for a wide range of plant pests
including insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas, and viruses. In addition, we provide
analytical services for an extensive range of nutrients in soil, plant tissues, and planting materials.
The tests conducted range from morphological examination, biological indicators, and serological
techniques, to advanced molecular and chemical/physical testing. PHL’s work is underpinned by
a commitment to quality systems and has been accredited with ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) since 2006.
AVA conducted a pilot-scale field trial in East Coast Park to treat coconut palms
that were infested with Black-headed Caterpillars.
In 2012, PHL completed about 25,000 diagnostic tests, which included 12 samples received from
overseas and processed under the BSAA protocol.
PHL continued to provide field evaluation services to local pesticide companies, to facilitate
their registration of pesticides with AVA. A trial involving three insecticides for trees was also
completed during the year.
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As part of PHL's push to expand its testing
capability, a new test was added to determine
the amount of aluminium extracted from
soil. This test for soil-extractable aluminium
helps to assess aluminium toxicity in low-pH
soils.
An AVA laboratory officer weighs samples for organic matter
determination.
In addition, two new tests were accredited in
the field of chemical and biological testing
under the Singapore Accreditation Council –
Singapore Laboratory Accreditation Scheme
(SAC-SINGLAS) in 2012. The laboratories
met all the requirements in the ISO/IEC
17025:2005 standards. Our laboratories
also performed well in the inter-laboratory
proficiency quality assurance testing
programme, which was administered by
the internationally recognised Wageningen
Evaluating Programmes for Analytical
Laboratories, Wageningen University, the
Netherlands.
Research Collaboration
AVA, NParks, and National Institute of Education continued the collaboration to identify wood
decay fungi from pruning wounds of common trees, as well as to identify native strains of
Trichoderma that could control these fungi.
As part of the trial on the effectiveness of Trichoderma in the biological control of wood decay fungi
in pruned tree wounds, two specific Trichoderma isolates were evaluated under field situation.
The tree wounds were also observed for wound healing. An in vitro study on the interactions
between wood decay fungi and two tree species (Samanea saman and Khaya senegalensis) was
completed.
AVA collaborated with NParks to field-test the use of parasitic wasps (Asecodes hispinarium and
Tetrastichus brontispae) in the control of hispid beetles (Brontispa longissima) in palms. Results
indicated that by releasing these parasitic wasps onto the infested palms, the hispid beetles could
be successfully brought under control. This method was also found to be sustainable and safe for
the environment.
In the FY, we continued our collaboration with the Singapore Golf Association to build up a local
plant health database for golf courses in Singapore and develop our expertise in turf grass health.
Samples from the Sentosa Golf Course were concurrently tested by AVA and overseas laboratories
for diagnosis and comparison.
Extension Services and Training
During the FY, AVA continued to conduct plant health assessments for commercial and residential
establishments, such as Resorts World Sentosa and condominiums seeking support for the
maintenance contracts of their landscaped gardens.
In FY 2012, six batches of exporters under the Assurance Certification Scheme underwent training
and proficiency testing by AVA on the inspection and identification of pests. AVA inspectors were
also trained and assessed to ensure their proficiencies are kept up-to-date.
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To ensure food, environmental, and workers' safety, AVA registers and approves all agricultural
pesticides for use in vegetable and ornamental plant farms. We conducted monthly pesticide
usage inspections in these farms to ensure that they comply with requirements under the Control
of Plant Act. During inspections, samples of locally produced food crops were collected for
pesticide residue and/or microbial testing. In FY 2012, 319 inspections were conducted on local
farms and 318 pesticide products were approved for agricultural use.
To ensure the safe use of pesticides in farms, AVA also certified pesticide operators to supervise the
application of pesticides in our local farms. The number of certified pesticide operators totalled
165 at end of FY 2012, as compared to 153 the year before.
In addition, Pesticide Operator Certification (POC) training and proficiency tests were conducted
as part of the requirements for certification of competent pesticide operators in local farms. Four
training courses (in English and Chinese languages) took place in June and December 2012 for
existing and new POC applicants.
AVA maintains its readiness to deal with incursions by testing and updating our contingency plans
to combat outbreaks of plant diseases. We continued to detect plant pests early before diseases
break out.
In March 2013, we developed a new mobile Geographic Information System (GIS) for our plant
health surveillance. Integrated with laboratory test results, this GIS capability will allow AVA
to monitor plant pests closely and analyse locations of pest outbreaks, as well as areas where
they could spread to. The system is capable of identifying pest hot spots for better contingency
planning.
AVA’s new mobile Geographic Information
System (GIS) allows AVA to monitor plant pests
closely and help to analyse locations of pest
outbreaks, as well as areas where they would
likely spread.
The Geographic Information System is capable of
identifying pest hot spots for better contingency
planning, and integrates with laboratory test results
to form a single entity for data analysis and map
visualisation.
ENGAGING AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND INDUSTRY
Regulating Pesticide Usage
Our stakeholders play an important role in maintaining an effective biosecurity continuum.
Responsibility for plant biosecurity in Singapore rests with the whole of the community, which
includes the industry and public.
AVA continued to educate the public on the importance of soil and plant health, as well as
pesticide usage on our local flora, through four library talks under the NParks’ Community In
Bloom Library Talks Series
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AVA’s booth at the Singapore Garden Festival 2012 showcased common plant woes and foes.
AVA also participated in the biennial Singapore Garden Festival 2012 (SGF) held at the Suntec
International Convention Centre from 7 to 15 July 2012. A display showcasing staple food around
the world, common pests and diseases and soil types were featured at AVA’s booth. We also
put up a poster entitled “Developing a Biological Pruning Wound Sealant for Street Trees in
Singapore” at the CUGE’s booth.
Stakeholder engagement in FY 2012 was sustained through the production and dissemination
of the monthly bulletin, "Plant Health Brief", to the horticulture industry and members of the
surveillance network to keep them updated on the latest pest detections.
AVA continued to work with our partners, such as ICA, to raise public awareness on the
requirements and restrictions for bringing plants from overseas into Singapore.
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Pest
Host
Phenacoccus solenopsis (P)
Gossypium species
Dinemasporium species (P)
Eleusine indica
Pyriculariopsis calatheae (P)
Calathea orbifolia
Pinnaspis species (P)
Cordyline fruticosa
Paralecanium species (P)
Ficus religiosa
Cochliobolus heterostrophus (P)
Zea mays
Botrytis cinerea (P)
Pelargonium species
Stemphylium species. (P)
Chrysanthemum
Verrucisporota grevilleae (P)
Grevillea species
Sparassis species (P)
Pterocarpus indicus
Pseudocercospora nicolaiae (P)
Etlingera elator
Echinothrips americanus (P)
Metaseqouia glyptostroboides
Tetranychus species (P)
Populus alba
Opisina arenosella Walker (P)(= Nephantis serinopa
Meyr)-Black headed caterpillar
Cocos nucifera
Cactodera cacti (P)
Cacti species
Alternaria celosiae (P)
Celosia species
Cercospora brunkii (P)
Pelargonium species.
Maconellicoccus hirsutus (P)
Mangifera indica (H)
Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (P) Citrus black
whitefly
Bambusa multiplex
Odonaspis secretus greenii Cockerell (P) Green’s scale
Bambusa multiplex
Cercospora curcumae (P)
Curcuma longa
Cercospora osiridis (P)
Echinodorus species
Pseudocercospora rhododendrigena (P)
Rhododendron species
Pseudocercospora punicae, or Cercospora punicae (P)
Punica granatum
Pseudocercospora cyathicola (P)
Cyathea latebrosa
Pseudocercospora pterocarpicola (Syn: Cercospora
pterocarpicola) (P)
Pterocarpus indicus (Angsana)
Pseudocercospora scaevolae (Syn: Cercospora
scaevolae) (P)
Scaevola taccada (Sea Lettuce)
Cercosporidium henningsii (P)
Manihot esculenta
Puccinia thwaitesii (P)
Justicia gendarussa
Ophelimus species (Eucalyptus gall) (P)
Eucalyptus species
Subanguina species (Grass root-gall nematodes) (P)
Cynodon species (Bermuda)
Frankliniella occidentalis
Hibiscus species, Euphorbia species,
Dichondra species, Kalanchoe species,
Euryops pectinatus, Pentas lanceolata,
and Pelargonium species (H)
Cercospora calatheae (P)
Calathea insignis
Cercospora platyceri i(P)
Platycerium species
Pseudocercospora heliconiae (P)
Heliconia densiflora
List of New Plant Pests and Hosts Detected in FY 2012
(P) = New Pest; (H) = New plant host for the pest detected in Singapore.
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GREATER YIELD
AND PRODUCTIVITY
Harnessing technology for intensive farming, we
create innovative solutions to rising challenges.
As local farmers maximise productivity with our
assistance, Singaporeans can also delight in these
super fresh local produce.
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Harnessing Technology to Optimise
Singapore’s Limited Resources
With limited space for farming and the aim to increase local production in key food items, as
well as to maintain our competitive edge in the global orchid and ornamental fish market, AVA
harnesses life sciences and technology to optimise land use. Our technological developments are
also shared with local farmers and overseas contract partners, to help them increase productivity
and yield. In addition to working with farmers, AVA collaborates with institutes and manufacturers,
to develop innovative and value-added food products.
In 2012, our farms produced 12 percent of the leafy vegetables, six percent of the fish, and 25
percent of the eggs consumed in Singapore.
FARMLAND MANAGEMENT
AVA developed six Agrotechnology Parks,
equipped with modern infrastructure and
facilities, to promote agrotechnology in
Singapore. Comprising a total land area of
about 1,465 hectares, these Parks are located
at Lim Chu Kang, Murai, Sungei Tengah,
Mandai, Nee Soon, and Loyang.
As at March 2013, about 700 hectares of
land in the Agrotechnology Parks were
allocated to 222 farms. Another 42 hectares
of land outside the Parks were allocated
With limited space for farming and the aim to increase local production
to 25 farms. These included layer farms for
in key food items, AVA harnesses life sciences and technology to optimise
land use.
egg production, fish farms, vegetable farms,
goat and cattle farms, orchid and floriculture
farms, and ornamental fish farms. In addition, there were 120 coastal fish farms occupying 100
hectares of sea space on Singapore’s coastal waters.
AVA continued to inspect farms regularly to ensure their compliance with regulations and
conditions of lease agreement. AVA also worked closely with the National Environment Agency
(NEA), the Public Utilities Board, and other government agencies to investigate tip-offs on
irregularities in AVA-licensed farms. Such irregularities include the presence of illegal structures
and unauthorised activities at farm premises.
In FY 2012, AVA performed a total of 10,245 surveillance and inspection visits on animal and
plant/vegetable farms to check for irregularities. A total of 24 enforcement actions were taken
against farms that were found to be non-compliant.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER
Research And Development (R&D) is vital to our efforts to increase agricultural productivity, local
production, and competitiveness. To improve the quality of our produce and achieve higher
yields and value, our R&D projects focus on breeding, nutrition, disease control, aquaculture and
vegetable production systems, as well as post-harvest technology.
Aquaculture
R&D in marine aquaculture is carried out at AVA’s Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC), while
freshwater aquaculture R&D is done at the Sembawang Research Station (SRS). AVA also provides
technical assistance and services to the aquaculture industry to help them increase productivity.
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Located on St John’s Island, MAC was established to undertake tropical marine food fish aquaculture
technology development. During the year, MAC continued to develop fast-growing and good
quality fish fry for intensive farming. AVA’s successful spawning of pompano (golden pomfrets) in
local waters won the Minister’s Award (Team) from the Ministry of National Development in 2012.
It also collaborated with research institutions to improve the growth performance of fish fry.
• Selective Breeding Project
AVA and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory
Limited (TLL) embarked on a project in
February 2012 to further improve the
productivity and quality of the Asian sea
bass (Lates calcarifer) and the Mozambique
tilapia (Oreochromois mossambicus).
With a grant of S$10 million from
the National Research Foundation’s
Competitive Research Programme, AVA
Mr Lim Huan Sein (Director, Aquaculture Technology
and TLL will jointly develop proprietary
Department, AVA) explains the selective breeding
and other cutting-edge tools of genomics
programme to Minister for National Development,
Mr Khaw Boon Wan.
to identify individual Asian sea bass
and Mozambique tilapia that have
good genetic traits to breed faster-growing and disease-resistant offspring. The fingerlings
produced by these superior brood stocks are expected to vastly outperform those originating
from unselected stocks. With increased efficiency and greater productivity, Singapore can
enjoy safe and good quality seafood at more affordable costs.
• Study on the Effects of Feed Additives on the Quality of Fish Fry
During the FY, AVA conducted trials to investigate how feed additives may benefit the survival
rate, growth performance, and gut health of the Asian sea bass fry. Commercially available
pro-biotics and immunity boosters, such as Vitamin C, were used during the trials.
Results showed that fish fed with pro-biotics achieved greater weight-gain (more than 20
percent) as compared to the control group, thus demonstrating the positive influence of
pro-biotics on growth performance. In collaboration with TLL, AVA will further examine
the digestive functions and health conditions of fishes by using ribonucleic acid microarray
analysis, a genetic technique.
Technical Assistance and Services
To facilitate the development of Singapore’s food fish and ornamental fish industries, AVA’s
Aquaculture Services Centre at SRS provides technical advice to stakeholders, viz. investors,
farmers and exporters. In FY 2012, AVA made over 500 site visits to food fish and ornamental fish
farms. On-site training sessions were also conducted for the farmers.
Farm Productivity Improvement Plan
R&D Projects
During the FY, AVA assisted local fish farmers in developing individual productivity improvement
plans to help them meet the annual minimum output of 17 metric tonnes of fish per half-hectare
of licensed sea farming area. AVA also organised regular workshops on fish farm management for
our fish farmers to improve growth performance of their fish stocks. The topics covered included
good farm practices, types of feed, as well as fish health and farm environment management.
Through AVA’s facilitation, 48 food fish farms were successful in their application for the AVA
Food Fund to improve productivity. Farmers acquired equipment, such as floating modular cages
to reduce maintenance efforts, as well as aeration systems to improve water quality and increase
fish survival rates.
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Advisory Services to Fish Farmers
AVA continued to provide advisory services to both food fish and ornamental fish farmers on
areas such as good farm practices and fish health management. AVA works closely with local fish
hatcheries to optimise existing methods and assists farms to increase their productivity in both
live-feed and fish fry productions.
During the FY, AVA also worked closely with the Ornamental Fish Business Cluster (OFBC) to
transfer technology and share knowledge. Two industry seminars were jointly organised by
AVA and OFBC in April and December 2012 to impart practical knowledge on basic fish disease
diagnosis techniques and good bio-security management practices.
On 25-29 September 2012, AVA also supported the Singapore Aquarium Fish Exporter’s Association
(SAFEA) in a study visit to Bandung, Bogor, and Jakarta in Indonesia to gain deeper insights into
the operations of ornamental fish producers/exporters there, as well as explore ways to better
facilitate trade between the countries.
Horticulture
Horticulture R&D is carried out at AVA’s SRS, as well as in collaboration with the commercial sector
and research institutions.
R&D Projects
During the FY, AVA embarked on R&D projects with the aim of helping local farmers increase
vegetable yield and quality through the use of technology. These projects cover farm mechanisation,
the effective use of artificial lighting and irrigation sprinkler, evaluation of vegetable varieties, as
well as soil improvement.
•
Mechanical Leafy Vegetable Harvester
Prototype for Local Farms
During the FY, AVA sought the assistance of Japan’s
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and
the Japan Embassy in Singapore to source for and develop
technological solutions that can mechanise the harvesting
process in local vegetable farms.
As a result, a Japanese company, Koyo Engineering,
was commissioned to custom-design a mechanical
A prototype of a mechanical leafy vegetable harvester
leafy vegetable harvester prototype that suits local
developed by a Japanese company, Koyo Engineering,
farm conditions. With feedback from local farmers,
which is being refined to suit local farming conditions.
the prototype will be refined to enable the cutting of
vegetables at root, as well as automatic collection of cut vegetables. Refinement and further
tests are expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
• Collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore to Increase
Mechanisation in Local Vegetable Farms
In FY 2012, AVA began collaborating with the NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering to develop technological solutions for mechanisation of farm operations.
Visits to vegetable farms were organised for faculty members and students in August and September
2012 to familiarise them with farm processes. Students submitted 30 proposed solutions that
sought to increase the efficiency of farm operation, reduce demands on manpower, and improve
ergonomic design within local farms. The proposals will be evaluated based on engineering and
agronomy factors, and the promising ones would be further refined for prototype development
in FY 2013.
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• Study on the Effects of Shading on Growth of Leafy Vegetables
Leafy vegetables generally require at least six hours of exposure to sunlight for vigorous
growth. However, such light conditions may not be available in some areas in Singapore,
where sunlight is blocked off by tall buildings or structures.
AVA studied the effect of shading on vegetable growth and identified varieties that are tolerant
to low light conditions. Seven commonly consumed leafy vegetable varieties, including cai xin,
Chinese cabbage, gai lan, lettuce, and xiao bai cai, were tested. Chinese cabbage was found to
be the most tolerant towards low light condition, while cai xin was found to be least tolerant.
We also conducted additional trials on xiao bai cai, mustard, bayam, and kang kong grown
in a plastic-roof greenhouse. They were subjected to 0 percent, 30 percent, and 90 percent
shading, which an average daily light integral (DLI) of 22.8, 19.9, and 4mol/m2/d, respectively.
Results showed that a 30-percent and 90-percent reduction in light transmittance led to a
decrease in plant fresh weight by four percent to 28 percent, and 57 percent to 94 percent,
respectively. Bayam was found to be the most tolerant towards low light conditions, while
mustard was the least tolerant. These findings will help local farmers identify the most suitable
types of vegetables to grow in areas with less exposure to sunlight.
• Study on the Effect of Artificial Lighting on Growth
Performance
AVA studied the effect of 10 LED and fluorescent
lightings on the growth performance of lettuce. Findings
showed that red LED lighting led to increased biomass,
plant length, leaf size, and number of leaves in lettuce.
The use of blue LED resulted in increased greenness and
induced red pigmentation on the lettuce leaves, with
shorter plant and leaf lengths. Generally, the leaves of
lettuce grown under artificial lighting were broader as
compared to plants grown under natural sunlight.
Another study was conducted on xiao bai cai under four
light sources: red LED, blue LED, red-blue LED, as well
as Cool and Warm White Fluorescent Lamps (CWWFL).
Plants grown under red-blue LED treatment resulted
in up to 2.6 times more biomass in plants and showed
higher leaf chlorophyll content than those grown under
other treatments.
AVA is studying the effect of shading on vegetable growth and has identified
varieties that are able to thrive with less exposure to sunlight.
A study on the effect of 10 LED and
fluorescent lightings on the growth
performance of lettuce.
Red LED resulted in longer plant length, as well as broader and thicker leaves. On the other
hand, blue LED brought about an increase in the number of leaves per plant and leaf length.
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It is therefore important to use the right combination of red-blue LED to obtain higher yields
of xiao bai cai with the desired form, size, shape, and structure. AVA will be sharing details
of these findings with farmers who are keen to adopt this technology to improve vegetable
yield and quality.
• Evaluation of Leafy Vegetable Varieties
AVA evaluated a batch of new xiao bai cai varieties to identify the ones with good growth and
yield performance. Three potential varieties were shortlisted for further on-site evaluation
at two local vegetable farms. One of these varieties was found to be suitable, with a growth
performance that was comparable to the existing variety being grown.
Moving forward, these two farms will grow the new selected variety when seeds of the
existing variety are in short supply. Technology transfer will be implemented to introduce this
variety to other vegetable farms in FY 2013.
• Growth Media and Nutrient Management
for Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables
An overview of an experimental setup for the study on the use of
bio-char as a main soil mix ingredient for xiao bai cai.
Trials were initiated on the use of bio-char as a
main soil mix ingredient for xiao bai cai grown in
containers. Bio-char is a natural soil amendment
with reported benefits of sustaining soil health
and fertility. The management of soil health and
fertility has become increasingly important, with
more farmers using plastic-roof growing houses
that tend to result in the build-up of salts in the
soil. Results showed that besides improved water
retention and reduced nutrient leaching, xiao bai
cai in 10 percent bio-char treatment also enjoyed
better yields as compared to those in the control
group, as well as those with 20 percent or 30
percent bio-char treatments.
• Efficient Water Use for Cultivation of Leafy Vegetables
A good irrigation system is critical for the uniform and efficient application of water for
vegetable cultivation. Insufficient watering will adversely impact yields, while excessive water
application may reduce yield and quality, lead to wastage of water, and increase the risk of
nutrient leaching. Through experimentation, AVA identified a type of irrigation sprinkler that
could save up to 42 percent of water and 29 percent in cost, as compared to existing sprinkler
used by farmers. In addition, this type of sprinkler does not adversely affect the growth of
vegetables.
• Vertical Farming System for Rice Cultivation
As rice cultivation requires large areas of land space, AVA embarked on a trial to grow rice
using the vertical farming system (VFS), which would reduce the amount of space needed. One
challenge of growing rice plants on the VFS is the height constraint between planting tiers.
The system was modified and four different varieties of semi-dwarf rice, namely IR841, JS, KL,
and KLQ, were grown on the VFS. Only one variety, IR841, was found to be suitable for the
modified system, as all the other varieties were decapitated at the flowering stage when the
planting tiers rotated.
• Collaboration with National University of Singapore (NUS)
AVA collaborated with the Centre of Social Media Innovations for Communities (COSMIC) in
NUS to develop and deploy social media applications that can help farmers and gardeners to
identify pests, as well as assess the growth performance and quality of vegetables. These lowcost and location-based smart phone applications are expected to be completed by the end
February 2014.
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Besides R&D, AVA also provides industry services to the horticulture sector. The Horticulture
Services Centre provides services on orchid tissue culture and seed pod germination. Consultancy
services, field evaluation and training are provided to both the orchid and vegetable industries.
The seed pod culture service continued to be popular amongst growers, hobbyists, and schools,
as it allows the breeding and selection of unique hybrids. In FY 2012, AVA received a total of 542
orders (comprising 39 different orchid genera) for seed pod germination and 2,000 tissue culture
plantlets for various commercial growers.
• Farm Productivity Improvement Plan
To help local vegetable farms raise
production, AVA assisted 45 vegetable
farmers to identify productivity
challenges and develop Individual
Farm Productivity Improvement Plans
(IFPIP). Out of the 45 farms, 41 have
indicated a potential increase of
five to 80 tonnes in production by
adopting relevant technology.
Through AVA’s facilitation, 12
farms applied for the AVA Food
AVA has been working with Sky Greens Pte Ltd on novel pest
Fund to convert some of their
management methods for the commercial vertical vegetable
netted greenhouses to plastic-roof
farm.
greenhouses. Having a plastic roof
will ensure better yield during
monsoon periods, as it can mitigate the impact of heavy downpours that cause physical
damage to the vegetables, as well as fertiliser leaching.
• Advisory Services to Vegetable Farmers
AVA continued to provide advisory service to vegetable farmers on pest and disease problems.
During the FY, AVA assisted a local tomato farm that was infested by a pest, which AVA
identified to be Nesidiocoris tenuis, a predatory bug that damages plants in the absence of
insect preys. With our advice on the proper application of pesticides, the pest was controlled
within a month.
Following the development of the VFS prototype, AVA continued to provide advisory services
to Sky Greens Pte Ltd in the establishment of a commercial vertical farm, which was officially
opened on 24 October 2012. Being the first of its kind in Singapore, the VFS posed new
challenges in plant health management. AVA continued to work closely with Sky Greens to
identify solutions for pest and disease management.
Following the detection of excessive pesticide residues in samples from four vegetable farms,
AVA investigated the likely causes of violation and advised the owners on good practices of
pesticide usage, such as proper supervision and application of pesticides, as well as adherence
to the pre-harvest interval.
• Enhancing Vegetable Production in Community Gardens
During the FY, AVA continued its collaboration with National Parks Board (NParks) to train
Community-in-Bloom (CIB) gardeners to grow vegetables and develop a pool of skilled
vegetable growers, so that their community gardens can enjoy higher vegetable yields.
In FY 2012, we trained over 100 gardeners from five additional CIB gardens, as well as
gardeners from other community groups.
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Post-harvest
AVA’s Post-harvest Technology Centre conducts post-harvest and food research to improve
the quality of food and food delivery in Singapore. To ensure Singapore’s food supply chain
is integrated, cost-effective and sustainable, AVA focuses on scientific research in post-harvest
and processing technologies. We collaborate with renowned research institutes and key industry
stakeholders to develop innovative products, improve product quality and shelf life, minimise
food wastage, optimise productivity, and introduce best practices in post-harvest handling to the
industry.
R&D Projects
In FY 2012, AVA continued to assist the food industry in optimising supply chain management,
reducing food wastes, and developing value added products through collaborative applied
research and extension services.
A range of okara products developed by AVA.
Okara Food Products
In view of an increasing awareness of soybean as a healthier protein source, AVA initiated a
research on the reutilisation of okara – a by-product of soya bean products. Working collaboratively
with the Massey University, we successfully converted okara into pseudo meat balls with cheese.
AVA further expanded the okara application into vegetarian and mock meat products, such as
sausages, popcorn chicken, ngoh hiang, spring roll, and floss.
A “Food Waste Minimisation through Recovery and Recycling - Road to Sustainable Food Chain”
seminar was organised on 13 March 2013 to share the concept and technology of converting
okara into wholesome food products to food manufacturers. These okara products, which were
showcased at the seminar, received strong interest from industry participants.
Okara as Alternative Poultry Feed
AVA also looked into the potential application of okara in poultry feed, to help local farmers
mitigate the rising costs of animal feed. In FY 2012, preliminary research was conducted on the
characterisation of okara feed, as well as the technique of drying okara for preservation and
storage under ambient conditions. Moving forward, AVA will explore potential collaborations
with research institutions in using efficient drying technologies to process fresh okara into highvalue dried poultry feed.
Okara and Fish Trimmings as Alternate Feed for Food Fish
AVA embarked on a project to develop an optimal processing protocol for the production of cost
effective and nutritional fish feed from fish trimmings and okara, in collaboration with Ngee Ann
Polytechnic (NP)’s Environmental and Water Technology Centre of Innovation (EWTCOI) and the
aquaculture industry.
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Ready-to-Eat Bottled Mussel Sauce
In FY 2010, AVA and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
successfully developed bottled mussel sauce from
mussel broth, a by-product from the production
of frozen half-shelled cooked mussels. Following
AVA officers using fish trimmings and okara to
shelf life studies and sensory tests, the project team
develop feed for food fish.
conducted an acceptance study in November 2012
with an end-user from the catering and foodservice
sector. Results from this study would be used by the end-user in the evaluation of the product’s
market potential.
Anti-browning Agents in Fresh-Cut Fruits
Comparing to whole fruits, fresh-cut fruits have a
shorter shelf-life, as they are very prone to tissue
browning and microbial spoilage. To prolong the
shelf-life of fresh-cut fruits, AVA embarked on a
research to determine the efficacy of anti-browning
agents for fresh-cut apples and pears. Our findings
showed that 0.5 percent ascorbic acid was effective
in inhibiting browning in cut apples, and 0.5 percent
honey solution was effective in delaying browning
in cut pears. In addition, quality charts for fresh-cut
watermelon and papaya had also been developed.
These information would be disseminated to the
fresh-cut fruit industry.
Research in Food Nano-technology
Collaborating with A*STAR’s Institute of Materials
AVA officers assessing the correlation between
Research and Engineering (IMRE) and one
the quality of mangoes and the colour changes
of its consortium members, Piaget Chemicals
recorded by the ripeness sensor.
Manufacturing Pte Ltd, AVA embarked on the
development of enhanced food packaging using
polymer nano-composites. In FY 2012, IMRE began formulating a nano-composite packaging that
possesses barrier properties against oxygen, moisture and UV, which will help to improve the
shelf life of food products and reduce food wastage due to spoilage, thereby enhancing the
sustainability of our food supply. In the following FY, AVA will be testing the efficacy of the
nano-composite prototypes that had been developed to extend the shelf-life extension of food
products.
Separately, AVA also collaborated with an industry
stakeholder in a research project to develop semimoist fish feed that is partially derived from food
waste. The project aims to improve the quality of
aquaculture feed for marine food fishes, which in turn
can increase fish survival rates and farm productivity,
as well as lower production costs.
AVA also worked with NP’s EWTCOI and a retailer to develop a cost-effective sensor from
biodegradable nano-fibres to determine fruit ripeness easily and non-invasively. The two-year
project was awarded the MOE Innovation Fund in April 2012. Such a device would enable the
industry to better monitor fruit ripeness, so that timely and well-informed decisions could be
made on delivery schedules, thus reducing post-harvest losses.
Eco-friendly Sanitizer for Harvested Fresh Sprouts
AVA collaborated with NUS to source for alternative types of sanitizers that are more effective
and environmentally friendly than the commonly used chlorine-based sanitizer for fresh sprouts.
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In FY 2012, results from the first phase of the research showed that the efficacy of Peroxyacetic
Acid (PAA) is significantly better than chlorine, and could replace chlorine in disinfecting mung
bean sprouts.
In August 2012, we began the second phase of the project to investigate the effectiveness of other
sanitizers, such as Acidified Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Phosphate, Cetylpyridinium Chlorine, hot
water, ozone, and electrolysed water, in the reduction of pathogens in sprouts. This project phase
is targeted for completion by August 2013.
Eco-friendly Processing Protocol for Surimi-based Products
Traditional production methods of local surimi processing plants use large amounts of water at
the gel-setting and cooking stages. To enhance sustainable food production, AVA and the Institute
of Technical Education (ITE) College East embarked on a research collaboration to develop a
modified processing protocol that reduces water usage and loss of nutrients/ingredients.
Optimal Processing Protocols for Ready-to-cook Potatoes
The supply of minimally processed ready-to-cook (RTC) fresh produce to
foodservice establishments has been increasing. To enhance the quality
of these RTC fresh produce, AVA initiated a study in collaboration with
an industry stakeholder to develop an optimal processing protocols for
packaging RTC potatoes, cai xin, and xiao bai cai. An optimal processing
protocol involving the application of 50ppm chlorinated water, acidified
NaCl, and a cost effective packaging system was established to delay
browning in RTC cut potatoes. At a storage temperature of 4-5oC, cut
potatoes stored in vacuum and non-vacuum packing had a shelf life of
five days and three days, respectively. AVA also established an optimal
processing protocol for RTC cut cai xin and xiao bai cai that enabled them
to be stored up to five days at 4-5oC with no chemical treatment.
Optimisation of Vacuum-cooling Process for Vegetables
AVA officers experimenting on
an optimal processing protocol to
enhance the quality of ready-to-cook
potatoes.
To optimise the use of vacuum-cooling technology to reduce post-harvest
loss, AVA collaborated with Massey University on a research project to
assess the effects of primary packaging on the efficiency of vacuumcooling leafy vegetables such as xiao bai cai. Trials were performed to
compare the energy costs required in pre-cooling leafy vegetables at the stages of (1) before
cleaning, sorting, and packing, and (2) after packing.
Findings indicated that the quality of xiao bai cai improved significantly when it was vacuumcooled after packing. In addition, the best efficiency is achieved by using polypropylene packing
with eight punctured holes, and stacking the packed
vegetables upright. This optimised protocol will be
field-tested on other types of leafy vegetables in the
next FY.
Light-Emitting Diode for Food Preservation
In an effort to develop a less invasive food
preservation technique, AVA and NUS embarked
on a collaboration to investigate the effects of
light-emitting diode (LED) light treatment on the
quality and nutritional values of fresh vegetables.
This three-year research project, which began on
1 May 2012, is funded by the Agency for Science
Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) Nutrition and
Food Science grant.
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AVA and NUS embarked on a project to
investigate the effects of LED light treatment
on the quality and nutritional values of fresh
vegetables.
Currently, most chilled fish fillets are packed in common plastic packaging, and have a shelf
life of only three to five days. This short shelf life poses a challenge to both local processors
and importers, especially when there is surplus stock to clear. To help our industry overcome
this challenge and to meet the increasing consumer demand for high quality fish fillets, AVA
initiated a collaborative project with ITE East to study the application of Modified Atmosphere
Packaging (MAP) in extending the shelf life of chilled fish fillets. Through this project, we aim to
help enhance the quality and resilience of fish supply in Singapore.
AVA also provides extension services to key supply chain stakeholders, such as local growers,
processors, traders, and retailers. These services include consultancy and training in the areas of
product development, post-harvest handling techniques, cold chain management, food quality
assessment and preservation, and food safety assurance/management. In addition, tests on the
quality of surimi and audits on quality assurance systems are conducted.
Vegetable Industry
• Technical Reference for the Cold Chain Management of Vegetables
To reduce post-harvest loss of vegetables, AVA, SPRING Singapore, and the industry jointly
developed a quality assurance system that provides benchmarks for managing temperature
and relative humidity profiles in the vegetables cold chain. This quality assurance system, also
known as the Technical Reference for the Cold Chain Management of Vegetables (TR-24), was
tested by the industry in pilot trials last FY.
Following these trials, the TR-24 working group, under the direction of the Singapore
Food Standards Committee, convened in FY 2012 to review the industry’s feedback and
recommendations on the TR-24’s technical practicality and ease of application. In addition,
AVA conducted shelf life studies on common leafy vegetables to validate the revised
recommendations on acceptable range of storage temperature.
To emphasise the importance of cold chain management and to encourage industry adoption
of the TR-24, AVA, SPRING Singapore, and Singapore Polytechnic co-organised a training
course in April 2012.
• Improving Efficiency of Post-Harvest Handling
To reduce post-harvest loss of fresh horticultural produce and to upgrade the postharvest
competency of the fresh produce industry, AVA began developing a handbook titled “Postharvest Handling of Vegetables in the Packing House”. During the FY, field visits and surveys
were conducted to gather information on the practices adopted in local packing house, as
well as packaging specifications of common leafy and fruited vegetables sold in Singapore.
The handbook is targeted for completion in FY 2014. Quality assessment and shelf life studies
on leafy vegetables were also carried out to facilitate the development of quality charts for
the industry.
• Technical Support for the Processing of Fresh-Cut Iceberg Lettuce
Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Chilled Fillets
In collaboration with NYP, AVA successfully established a protocol on the processing of freshcut iceberg lettuce, and developed a “Handbook on Processing of Fresh-Cut Iceberg lettuce”.
This handbook, which covers the cutting, washing, drying, and packing of iceberg lettuce,
serves as a reference for fresh-cut processors to enhance the quality and safety of their
products. Extension services were also provided to Oh Chin Huat Hydroponic Farms Pte Ltd in
adopting the newly established processing protocol for its production of mixed salads.
• Audit Services
In FY 2012, AVA continued to provide audit services through its subsidiary, Agrifood
Technologies Pte Ltd (ATP), to verify the integrity of the organic vegetable supply chain from
farms to NTUC FairPrice retail stores.
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Fish Industry
• Testing on Gel Strength and Whiteness of Surimi
AVA provided testing services on gel strength and whiteness of surimi to fishball and fishcake
manufacturers. A total of eight surimi samples were received from two companies during the
FY.
• Good Handling Practices for Live, Chilled, and Frozen Seafood
In December 2012, AVA embarked on a two-year initiative to develop guidelines on Good
Handling Practices (GHP) of live, chilled, and frozen seafood from farm to retail. The GHP will
help to enhance the handling practices of fish merchants at the Singapore’s fishery ports and
fish retailers, enhance seafood quality, and minimise post-harvest loss of fisheries in Singapore.
During the FY, market and experimental research studies were conducted as part of efforts to
establish the GHP.
•
Training Course on Fish Quality Preservation
AVA conducted a Fish Quality Preservation Training
Course on 16-25 October 2012 to equip key fish supply
chain stakeholders with the essential knowledge of good
handling practices, quality preservation, and quality
assessment criteria. The importance of appropriate icing
and good personnel hygiene in maintaining fish quality was
also emphasised.
•
An AVA officer briefs participants on the quality
assessment of fish in relation to storage conditions.
Development of New Sources for Fish Production
and Processing
AVA collaborated with NUS, through the Frugal Innovation
Lab of the Institute for Engineering Leadership, in a oneyear project to explore market and technical opportunities in the area of fish production and
processing. The project, which began on 1 August 2012, encourages industry exchanges and
joint R&D in agri-food production and processing in emerging markets, such as Indonesia and
India. The collaboration will benefit the fish industry and consumers, as it will open up new
sources of supply for fish and value-added fish products. In 2012, AVA facilitated the project
team’s visits to fish processing establishments and retail markets. In addition, we provided
technical advice to the NUS project team on the methodologies to create value through
product and process innovation.
Manpower Development
Farmers in Singapore are challenged by the shortage of local and foreign labour from traditional
sources. This challenge is further exacerbated by the tightened policies for foreign labour. To ease
this shortage and enhance the quality of the foreign workforce, AVA collaborated with Ministry
of Manpower and Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to raise manpower productivity.
Skills Evaluation Test for Agri-technology Sector
AVA and ITE developed a series of Skills Evaluation Tests (SETs) to upgrade the farming proficiency
of foreign workers, and for AVA to assess farm workers and accord certification to those who pass
the tests. Foreign workers who pass the SETs could be considered for an extension of employment
period.
AVA encourages farm employers to upgrade their foreign workers farming proficiency through
the SETs. In FY 2012, 116 foreign workers passed the SETs. Since inception in December 2010,
a total of 422 foreign workers have passed the SETs. Industry feedback on the SETs has been
positive, as the tests have helped to minimise disruptions to their manpower needs.
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To address the issue of manpower shortage, AVA partnered with e2i to organise a career brief
cum job fair for the agriculture/fisheries and food industries in June 2012.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Besides working with the industry on technology development and transfer, AVA also reaches
out to the public through international and community events, as well as learning journeys to
showcase our efforts in harnessing technology to optimise Singapore’s resources.
World Cities Summit Expo 2012
AVA participated in the World Cities Summit (WCS) Expo 2012 on 2-4 July 2012 by putting up an
exhibit of the patented VFS to showcase our R&D expertise and collaborative efforts with the
local industry. With its low water and energy consumption rate, high productive output, and
adaptability, the VFS is an innovative urban solution that tackles issues of the food-water-energyland nexus.
Singapore Garden Festival 2012
AVA put up a display of food crops and a plant
clinic at the Singapore Garden Festival on 7-15
July 2012. The display of food crops, which
featured staple food from all over the world,
generated much interest from avid gardeners
and the general public.
Public Service 21 ExCEL Convention
To raise public awareness of the crops people consume
On 15-16 November 2012, AVA participated at
as food around the world, AVA showcased both the
the annual Public Service 21 ExCEL Convention
natural and processed state of various plants and
products at our booth during the SGF 2012.
2012 by setting up a live fish tank to showcase
our success in spawning pompano in local
waters. Cooking demonstrations were held at our booth to raise consumer awareness on the
quality and freshness of local seafood.
NParks’ CIB Library Talks Series
Since 2008, AVA officers have been actively involved in NParks’ CIB Library Talks Series, giving
one-hour talks and sharing our expertise on various horticultural topics. This FY, we covered the
popular topic of “Orchids 101”.
Workshop and Talk on Vertical Home Growing Systems
On 28 April 2012, AVA organised a workshop to educate the public on the various vertical home
growing systems available, as well as how to assemble the Veggie Pipe. Videos from the workshop
were also uploaded to AVA’s YouTube channel.
At the invitation of NParks, AVA conducted a talk on vertical home growing systems at the
HortPark on 8 September 2012. A local irrigation system provider, NetaTech, also shared useful
information on drip irrigation systems during the talk.
Facilitating Recruitment of Local Workers through e2i Job Fairs
Learning Journeys
AVA hosts students on learning journeys to the MAC and our agrotechnology parks. In the FY, we
hosted two learning journeys for 77 students to the MAC, and another five learning journeys for
349 students to agrotechnology parks.
In addition, public service officers visited MAC during the Public Service Week to learn more about
AVA’s role in aquaculture R&D development in Singapore.
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USA
UK
international
trade and
competitiveness
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GERMANY
Our trade facilitation efforts help to expand the
global reach of Singapore’s agri-food products.
Besides supporting the growth of local businesses,
we also safeguard the interests of Singapore on
bilateral, regional, and international platforms.
JAPAN
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Facilitating Agri-Trade for Food,
Plants and Ornamental Fishes
As Singapore’s representative on agricultural, fisheries, and veterinary matters, AVA continues to
facilitate free trade and maintain close ties with the global community in a spirit of exchange and
cooperation. Besides facilitating trade, AVA also regulates the import and export of endangered
species.
FACILITATING IMPORTS
Jurong and Senoko Fishery Ports
AVA manages both the Jurong and Senoko Fishery Ports, both of which serve as wholesale
and distribution centres for fresh and chilled seafood. The top five fish exporting countries to
Singapore for FY 2012 were Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Norway.
Foreign fishing vessels arriving in Singapore berth at the Jurong Fishery Port (JFP), which serves as
a port of call for international fishing vessels and as a seafood distribution hub. In FY 2012, a total
of 3,052 vessel calls were made at JFP. The 96 AVA-licensed fish merchants at JFP handled about
61,500 tonnes of fish landed by fishing vessels, as well as imports via land and air. Of these, 1,051
tonnes were tuna imports meant for re-export.
Senoko Fishery Port (SFP) is the hub for local fishing vessels. During FY 2012, a total of 2,531 vessel
calls were made at SFP while 22 AVA-licensed fish merchants handled about 7,500 tonnes of fish
from local fishing trawlers, sea-based, and land-based fish farms, as well as from imports.
FACILITATING EXPORTS
AVA facilitates the export of food, plants, and their products, as well as ornamental fishes,
animals, and animal products, by issuing internationally recognised certificates, and permits. In
addition, we help further upgrade the export capabilities of our industries by engaging them in
collaborations and dialogues.
Food Products
AVA facilitated the export of meat, fish, as well as dairy and processed food products by providing
export inspection and certification services to the food industry. In FY 2012, AVA issued 13,601
Export Health Certificates and Free Sale Certificates to local exporters.
During the FY, 3,507 inspections for Veterinary Health and Export Health Certifications of all food
products were conducted. Of these, 1,290 inspections were for the certification of meat, fish, and
dairy products, while 2,217 were for processed food products.
One consignment was detained and destroyed, as it did not
comply with the Sale of Food Act.
Ornamental Fish
In FY 2012, Singapore exported ornamental fishes with an
approximate value of $76.7 million to over 80 countries. The
major countries include the EU member states, the US, Japan,
Canada, and Russia.
In FY 2012, Singapore exported ornamental fishes
with an approximate value of $76.7 million to over
80 countries.
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AVA regulates and facilitates the ornamental fish trade by
issuing import and export permits, as well as health certificates
for all live fish exports. In FY 2012, our certificates continued
to be accepted internationally, with a total of 9,214 health
certificates issued to accompany live fish consignments
exported from Singapore to various parts of the world.
Animals and Animal Products
AVA is the national authority responsible for issuing certificates and permits that meet importing
countries’ requirements. These documents help to facilitate the export of live animals, animal
feed, and animal products. In FY 2012, a total of 1,044 Veterinary Health Certificates, 2,296 export
permits, and 1,171 Certificates for Freedom from Disease were issued. A total of 378 Free Sale
Certificates were also issued to facilitate the export of animal feed, animal products and vaccines.
Chinese Taipei recognised Singapore as a country free from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and
Rabies on 3 August 2012. The recognition would help to facilitate exports and re-exports from
Singapore, especially of meat products (for FMD), and dogs and cats (for rabies) to Chinese Taipei.
Plant and Plant Products
AVA is the national authority for the phytosanitary
certification of plants and plant products for export.
We facilitate the export of plant products by ensuring
that the plant health requirements of importing
countries are met. Singapore is a signatory to the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and
we abide by the international standards set by IPPC
and align our procedures with those standards.
In FY 2012, AVA facilitated about $800 million
worth of agri-trade through the issuance of 15,203
phytosanitary
certificates.
Our
phytosanitary
certificates were recognised by about 124 countries
and the top export destinations were Indonesia,
Japan, Australia, China, Malaysia, UK, Germany, East
Timor, India, and Brunei Darussalam.
In addition, we successfully assisted one of our
exporters to export its Jatropha seedlings and seeds
for bio-fuel research in Egypt.
AVA facilitates the export of plant products by
ensuring that the plant health requirements
of importing countries are met.
AVA participated in the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) 2012 and showcased our import
regulation and export certification expertise. We also facilitated the certification and movement
of plants for the SGF by providing on-site inspection and issuance of phytosanitary certificates.
Assurance Certification Scheme
In FY 2012, a total of 11 companies were accredited under AVA’s Assurance Certification Scheme
(ACS), of which, five were for aquatic plants, four for cut flowers and cut foliages, one for tobacco,
and one for cocoa products. AVA conducted a total of 17 compliance audits on ACS-accredited
exporters to ensure that standards were upheld for the export of aquarium plants, cut flowers,
foliages, and plants that require phytosanitary certification.
Following notification in 2010 that Canada would be implementing new import regulations for
aquatic animals, AVA worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to develop a health
certification system that is mutually agreeable and technically acceptable to both countries.
Enforced with effect on 4 February 2013, this new system ensures continued ease of export of
ornamental fish to Canada.
Treatment Provider Scheme
To provide standard operational procedures for treatment providers who perform methyl
bromide fumigation and heat treatment operation on plant and plants products, AVA reviewed
the Accredited Pest Control Agency Scheme (APCA) last FY. On 1 May 2012, AVA implemented
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the Treatment Provider Scheme (TPS) in replacement of APCA. The new scheme provided
improvements such as:
• More specific and detailed categorisation of noncompliance and its corresponding sanctions
• A format of documents/forms that facilitates better record keeping and ease of traceability for
both AVA as well as TPS member companies.
• Standard operation procedures (SOP) for companies performing heat treatment and
fumigation (methyl bromide), which was previously not present in APCA.
During the year, a total of 48 treatment providers performing heat treatment or methyl bromide
fumigation joined the new scheme. Forty-eight compliance audits were conducted during the FY.
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry conducted a trial test to gather
data on methyl bromide concentrations for fumigation performed on un-sheeted/unpressured
tested containers. The results showed that all fumigations under the trial passed the minimum
concentration requirements set by Australian Fumigation Standard (AFAS). As these minimum
concentration requirements had no effect on the efficacy of the fumigation, they could be
excluded from the TPS. With this revision our treatment providers are able to comply with the
treatment requirements of importing countries that adopt AFAS standards.
ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS
AVA works closely with our stakeholders to facilitate agri-trade. We engage and collaborate with
our industries through Business Cluster activities and dialogue sessions.
AVA CEO, Ms Tan Poh Hong (front row, 4th from left), with members of the Singapore Aquarium Fishes Exporters’ Association and
Singapore Tropical Aquarium Fish Breeders’ Association after a dialogue session on 23 January 2013.
Ornamental Fish Business Cluster
Initiated by AVA in 2003, the Ornamental Fish Business Cluster (OFBC) has been instrumental
in addressing the challenges and charting new directions for the industry, as well as in raising
the international profile of Singapore’s ornamental fish industry. With key representation from
industry associations, exporters, breeders and associated companies, the OFBC will continue to
reinforce Singapore’s position as an Ornamental Fish Hub.
AVA conducted a dialogue session with the Singapore Aquarium Fishes Exporters’ Association
(SAFEA) on 23 January 2013, with participation from the Singapore Tropical Aquarium Fish
Breeders’ Association (STAFBA). During the dialogue, AVA reiterated its commitment to work
closely with the industry through both associations and OFBC to explore new areas of cooperation
to improve processes. The industry was also urged to enhance its productivity to remain resilient
and competitive.
AVA also engaged industry players outside of the OFBC. Two dialogue sessions with SAFEA, and
licensed ornamental fish importers and exporters, were conducted separately between July and
November 2012 to address regulation and trade issues.
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Orchid Business Cluster
With representatives from the various key floral associations and the IE Singapore, the Orchid
Business Cluster (OBC) was established in May 2003 to strengthen Singapore’s position as a
renowned exporter of tropical orchids and help the industry remain relevant and adaptable.
During the year, the OBC held fruitful dialogues, and participated in overseas visits and exhibitions
to seek trade opportunities and increase international exposure.
The OBC stayed active and enthusiastic in developing the orchid industry and export market. Two
sub-committees were set up to look into the research and breeding of new hybrids, as well as the
promotion of local orchids in the domestic market through outreach programmes.
OBC members participated in the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) in July 2012, and won several
awards for their displays.
Four OBC member companies participated in a job fair co-organised by the Employment and
Employability Institute and AVA on 27 June 2012 to help employers to recruit local workers.
To further grow the orchid industry, the OBC also proposed to focus on the breeding of new
varieties, adoption of automation and technology, as well as partnerships and collaborations.
TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
AVA is the national authority for the
implementation and enforcement of the
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), which aims to prevent overexploitation of endangered animals and
plants.
In FY 2012, AVA issued a total of 14,586 CITES
permits and certificates to regulate wildlife
trade, which comprised mainly of reptile
skins and reptile manufactured products,
Asian arowanas, pet birds, and agarwood.
AVA also facilitated the commercial reexport of wildlife not categorised under
CITES, through the issuance of 560 ‘B’
certificates/ statements.
AVA and Singapore Customs officers, together with the
African authorities, investigated the illegal shipment of
raw ivory tusks in transit via Singapore.
During the FY, AVA investigated a total of 33 cases, which included illegal trade of wildlife,
possession and sale of illegal wildlife, and wildlife poaching. Of these cases, three were prosecuted
in court. Sixteen cases were issued with composition fines between $100 and $2500, and 11 cases
were issued with warnings or advisories.
In addition, a one-day lecture and wet laboratory session was conducted on 20 December 2012 for
OFBC members to raise their competency in the diagnosis of ornamental fish diseases.
AVA participated in Operations Wild Web initiated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on 8-22
August 2012. The operation aimed to disrupt the widespread trading of illegal wildlife via the
Internet; to apprehend as many violators as possible during the period; and to increase public
awareness through coordinated media releases. During the operation, AVA investigated an
Internet posting on the sale of tarantulas in Singapore. A total of three tarantulas were seized
and the seller was fined $1,500.
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On 23 January 2013, Singapore Customs and AVA officers acted on a tip-off and conducted a joint
inspection on a container from Africa that was in transit via Singapore. Some 1,099 pieces of raw
ivory tusks (1.8 tonnes) were uncovered. Both Singapore and the African authorities investigated
the illegal shipment and will arrange for it to be repatriated.
On 2 March 2013, Immigration and Checkpoints officers detained two Seychelles nationals who
were attempting to smuggle 60kg of hawksbill turtle scutes into Singapore. One of them claimed
full ownership of the items and was jailed for three months for the illegal import.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Bilateral Meeting
AVA hosted the 6th Meeting of the Singapore-Indonesia Agribusiness Working Group Meeting
held on 2 November 2012 in Singapore. The working group reviewed the action plans on bilateral
trade, and noted that good progress was made in the amount of vegetable and seafood imported
from Indonesia. Business partnerships were also strengthened between Indonesia exporters and
Singapore importers.
ASEAN & International Collaboration
In FY 2012, AVA continued to participate actively in ASEAN meetings and projects, as well as other
international forums. AVA attended the following high level international meetings to discuss
cooperation in areas such as food security, food safety, fisheries, livestock, crops and sanitary, and
phytosanitary measures.
34th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) and 12th Meeting
of the AMAF+3
Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and
Defence, together with AVA’s CEO Ms Tan Poh Hong, led a six-member delegation to the 34th
Meeting of the AMAF and the 12th Meeting of the AMAF+3 held on 27-28 September 2012 in
Vientiane, Lao PDR.
The meetings reaffirmed the good cooperation among ASEAN Member States in food, agriculture
and forestry. The Ministers endeavoured to prioritise key measures and activities to realise the
objective of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. The Ministers also lauded the entry into
force of the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve Agreement, which would contribute greatly
towards food security in the region.
The meeting also considered and endorsed the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
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List of proposed twelve Maximum Residue Limits for nine pesticides
ASEAN standards for wax apple, chico (sapodilla), eggplant, pumpkin, and sweet corn
Revised ASEAN standards for mango, pineapple, banana, and durian
Guideline and audit check list for ASEAN Nursery Certification Scheme for export
Intra-ASEAN phytosanitary guidelines for importation of paddy, oil palm, and banana
Additional role & functions of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Livestock & Senior
Officials’ Meeting (SOM)-AMAF in the utilisation and management of the ASEAN Animal
Health Trust Fund
Executive Report on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Terms of Reference for the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Rapid Alert System for Food
and Feed
Revised Framework for the ASEAN Fisheries Consultative Forum
Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) for ASEAN Cooperation in Fisheries (2011-2015)
Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards Contact Points
ASEAN Food Security Information System Work Plan for 2013-2015
Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman also led the Singapore delegation to the 2nd APEC FSMM held on 3031 May 2012 in Kazan, Russia. The meeting reaffirmed its support for sustainable development of
the agricultural sector and facilitation of trade and development of food markets. It also noted
the need to enhance food safety and quality, and improve access to food for socially vulnerable
populace.
CEO of AVA, Ms Tan Poh Hong (6th from left) with senior officials at the 2nd AIMMAF held on 17 October 2012.
2nd ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AIMMAF)
A four-member delegation, led by AVA’s CEO, attended the 2nd AIMMAF held on 17 October
2012 in New Delhi, India. The ministers and senior officials took stock of the progress of the
collaboration between ASEAN and India, and discussed future project proposals for capacity
building under the Medium-Term Plan of Action (2011-2015).
An ASEAN-India Agriculture Expo was organised in conjunction with the AIMMAF. AVA jointly
set up a booth with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory to showcase Singapore’s agricultural
research and development efforts. AVA’s CEO also made a presentation on Singapore’s regulatory
control of agricultural products at the Symposium on Indo-ASEAN Export Potential of Agriculture
Products, which was held on 18 October 2012 and attended by ASEAN delegates and diplomatic
representatives.
3rd ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
(SPS Cooperation)
Dr Chew Siang Thai, AVA’s Director-General and Deputy CEO (Regulatory Programmes &
Operations), attended the 3rd ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on SPS Cooperation held on 20
September 2012 in Nanning, China. The meeting reiterated the significant role of SPS on food
security and socio-economic development in the region. It also endeavoured to further enhance
the strategic partnership and cooperation on SPS to facilitate trade between ASEAN and China.
Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD) Programme / Southeast Asian Fisheries
Development Centre (SEAFDEC)
2nd APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM)
AVA, as a collaborating centre of SEAFDEC, promotes the post-harvest technology development
of fisheries in Southeast Asia, by implementing activities under the SEAFDEC’s MFRD programme.
These activities include the transfer of postharvest technology and best practices to the fish
processing industry in the region.
Utilisation of Freshwater Fish for Value-added Products
Under the MFRD programme, AVA conducted a mid-term evaluation and progress meeting
for the utilisation of freshwater fish for value-added products. Two representatives from each
participating county (Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam) attended the meeting held on
27-28 June 2012.
87
Each country presented the status of their product development and processing trials. A sensory
evaluation on the products made by individual countries was conducted to allow representatives
to gather valuable feedback for product improvement.
The meeting agreed to complete the product development and processing trials by the first
quarter of 2013, and to publish the handbook for fish processing before the third quarter of 2013.
Traceability Systems for Aquaculture Products
Under the Japanese Trust Fund V of the MFRD programme, AVA organised a mid-term review
meeting on traceability systems for aquaculture products in the Asean Region on 7-8 November
2012 in Singapore. A total of 17 participants from nine ASEAN member countries (Cambodia,
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) attended
the meeting.
The meeting served as a platform for ASEAN member countries to provide status updates on the
implementation of traceability systems for aquaculture products, as well as to share the issues and
challenges they face.
Biotoxin Survey on Shellfish Poisoning
Under the Japanese Trust Fund II of the MFRD programme, nine ASEAN member countries
(Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and
Singapore) each completed a one-year biotoxin survey on Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) in
Green Mussel (Perna viridis). In addition, some countries also completed the biotoxin survey on
PSP in Baby Clams (Meretrix spp.).
Survey results showed that the species monitored were mostly negative for PSP. These results and
analytical methods were compiled and published as a technical reference for all ASEAN member
countries.
An End-of-Project (EOP) Seminar was held from 20 to 21 November 2012 in Singapore. With the
successful completion of the project, participating member countries upgraded their regional
laboratory capabilities and credibility for the testing of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP), PSP,
and Tetrodotoxin biotoxins. They also established their own monitoring programmes for routine
surveillance and testing of fish and fisheries products.
Staff Attachment at Faculty of Fisheries Science, Hokkaido University under the Asia-Africa Science
Platform Programme (AASPP)
The AASPP is a three-year cooperative programme (2011-2014) jointly launched by the Faculty of
Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University (FFS-HU) and SEAFDEC. The programme aims to establish a
research and educational network and platform for young researchers in developing sustainable
fisheries production and advanced utilisation of fisheries products in Southeast Asia.
Under the programme, a scientist from AVA was invited to FFS-HU to attend a 25-day training
course.
Subsequently, the AVA scientist and experts from FFS-HU shared their research insights on seafood
processing and extraction technology at a seminar on 18 March 2013.
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AVA is trusted and respected globally as a competent authority, which ensures safe food, healthy
animals and plants. During the FY, AVA received several foreign dignitaries and overseas officials
for exchanges and collaborative work. Many came to learn about our regulatory control, functions,
as well as tour our facilities and centres.
April 2012
The Japanese Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Mr Yoichi Suzuki, visited AVA to discuss
the issue of safe food supply to Singapore since the incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Plant.
June 2012
AVA hosted Singapore’s High Commissioner to Wellington, His Excellency Mr Peter Chan Jer Hing,
to a briefing on our collaborations and food supply from New Zealand.
The Minister of Agriculture of Indonesia, His Excellency Dr Suswono, visited AVA to discuss ways
to increase food and agriculture trade between Singapore and Indonesia.
AVA hosted Singapore’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr Bernard Baker, to
a briefing on our accreditation and quarantine procedures.
July 2012
The British High Commissioner to Singapore, His Excellency Mr Antony Phillipson visited AVA to
learn about our roles and functions, as well as discuss issues related to food imports from the UK.
August 2012
The former Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, Mr Doug Chester, visited AVA to
share Australia’s new regulatory framework for the export of livestock and ensure its smooth
implementation.
September 2012
The Mayor of Jilin City, Mr Zhao Jingbo, visited AVA to take stock of the on-going collaboration
between the Singapore and China on the Jilin Food Zone.
December 2012
The former New Zealand High Commissioner to Singapore, Mr Peter Hamilton, paid a farewell
visit to AVA’s CEO after his tour of duty.
January 2013
AVA hosted Singapore’s Ambassador to Lao PDR, Her Excellency Ms Kang Siew Kheng, to a
meeting and shared Singapore’s food imports and key projects with Lao PDR.
February 2013
The Canadian High Commissioner to Singapore, Her Excellency Ms Heather Grant, made an
introductory visit to AVA to learn about the roles and functions of AVA.
The Vice Mayor of Jilin City, Mr Fang Liqun, visited AVA to review the collaboration between
Singapore and China on the Jilin Food Zone.
Distinguished Visitors
March 2013
The Health Minister of Timor Leste, His Excellency Dr Sérgio Lobo, visited AVA’s Veterinary Public
Health Centre to learn about Singapore’s food safety standards and regulations. The Timorese
delegation also toured the laboratories and its facilities.
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giving our best
We nurture and value our staff. Through them, we
provide Singapore with excellent service. They are our
best assets who made all our achievements possible!
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Excellence in Our People
and Organisation
At AVA, we aspire to be a people-centric organisation where staff may find personal fulfilment in
what they do. We believe that this in turn will motivate them to contribute whole-heartedly to
AVA and our society at large. Complementing this belief, we empower our people with technology
so that they are equipped to find innovative ways of improving and streamlining their work
processes. These set us on the path towards being a progressive and professional organisation.
DEVELOPING AND RECOGNISING OUR STAFF
AVA firmly believes in developing each staff member to reach his or her fullest potential so that
he or she is not only equipped to fulfil their job duties, but also contribute to the society.
Nurturing and Valuing Our Staff
During the FY, we continued to engage the hearts and minds of our staff to develop them both on
professional and personal fronts. We achieved an average of 16.8 learning days per staff. Officers
were trained through a variety of platforms such as formal courses, as well as local and overseas
conferences. In addition, AVA organised in-house workshops to educate our officers in areas such
as policy drafting, as well as to share learning points from overseas conferences and seminars.
Talent Attraction and Development
In an effort to build up and sustain a pool of professional expertise, AVA increased the number
of scholarship awards awarded from five to seven in FY 2012. These scholarships were awarded
for disciplines such as Economics, Food Science & Technology, Horticultural Science and Veterinary
Science. Undergraduate scholars pursuing their studies were sponsored for selected exchange
programmes and summer schools to expand the horizons of young minds.
In addition, AVA gave out a Diploma for Business Innovation and Design (DBID) Scholarship for
the first time under a MND Family-Singapore Polytechnic programme. This collaboration with the
Singapore Polytechnic, who took in the first batch of DBID students in 2012, is part of AVA’s effort
to build up design-thinking mindsets for future work processes.
While we continued to strive for excellence in our professional capabilities, AVA also introduced
a structured Postgraduate Scholarship and Training Sponsorship Scheme. Under this scheme, AVA
sponsors higher academic qualifications such as post-graduate degree, undergraduate degree,
and diploma programmes, for in-serving staff. This is in line with the Government’s approach
towards continuous learning and employability for all employees.
Performance Management
Last year, AVA successfully introduced the AIM (Analytical and intellectual capacity, Influence and
collaboration, and Motivation for excellence) Model as AVA’s performance management system,
as well as the open appraisal methodology for our officers in the management executive scheme.
In FY 2012, we further extended these to officers in other schemes of services.
Comprehensive training was provided to staff to help them familiarise themselves with the new
performance appraisal system. This new performance management framework is structured to
clearly bring out and tie in with our shared ethos, values and desired behaviours. Both staff and
the organisation will thus be better empowered to take on future challenges.
People Management
In the FY, we continued to improve work-life benefits for our staff. We also revised our reemployment policy to enhance the employability of our older workers.
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A total of 86 staff was promoted in FY 2012 in recognition of their excellent performance and
potential to contribute at higher levels.
Seven National Day Awards were bestowed on AVA staff in recognition of their exemplary
performance and dedicated service. These comprised one Silver Public Administration Medal, two
Bronze Public Administration Medals, two Commendation Medals and two Efficiency Medals.
Mr Koh Soo Keong, AVA Chairman, was also bestowed with the Public Service Medal for his
distinguished contributions to AVA.
Five winners of the National Day Awards, photographed here with AVA CEO Ms Tan Poh Hong (4th from left), AVA
Director-General & Deputy CEO (Regulatory Programmes & Operations) Dr Chew Siang Thai (3rd from left), and AVA
Deputy CEO (Corporate & Technology) Mr Lee Kwong Weng (2nd from left).
In addition, 105 officers reached the various service milestones and were awarded the AVA Long
Service Awards in recognition of their contribution and dedication to the organisation.
Staff Well-being
In line with the Government’s effort to provide more support for Singaporeans in getting married
and starting families, AVA enhanced the following types of leave with effect from 1 January 2013:
•
•
•
•
•
Shared parental leave
Extension of paternity leave
Childcare leave for parents with children between seven and 12 years old
Adoption leave for non-single female officers
Female officers who are already on no-pay leave will also be eligible for paid maternity leave
Officers continued to enjoy work-life benefits such as telecommuting and weekly exercise timeoffs. They are also encouraged to leave work on time every Friday.
Awards and Recognition
Furthermore in January 2013, AVA introduced a scheme for staggered working hours. Officers
were given options to start work at five timings between 7.30am to 9.30am.
Labour-Management Relations
FY 2012 marked another important milestone in our strategic partnership with the Union. We
signed a new Collective Agreement, which bears testimony to our strong collaboration and
continuous endeavour to better the interest of our staff.
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AVA continued to partner the Union in
improving the welfare of AVA Union members.
In addition to contributing an annual grant of
$6,000 to the Union, AVA and the Union jointly
introduced the AVA Bursary Award for children
of eligible AVA staff. Two AVA staff members
were recipients of the inaugural award.
The AVA Management also engages the Union
regularly on staff matters, through various
platforms such as quarterly meetings and social
AVA signed a new Collective Agreement with AUSBE
events. In recognition of our sustained efforts in
in December 2012.
strengthening understanding and cooperation
between the AVA Management and the Union,
AVA received the Ong Teng Cheong Institute Workplace Partnership Award in October 2012.
Staff Engagement and Feedback
In FY 2012, AVA conducted a Staff Climate Survey to take stock of our progress, understand our
internal strengths, and identify the areas for improvement. About 84 percent of staff responded
to the survey.
In most areas, AVA did equal or even better than the Public Service Norm. Survey results showed
that our officers are highly satisfied with the rewards they received and feel that their jobs allow
them to make good use of their skills and abilities. They also believe and identify strongly in the
vision and mission of AVA.
To nurture a fruitful employer-employee relationship, it is important to engage our staff, through
various communication platforms such as staff dialogues, walkabouts, and conversations with
senior management. News blitzes in the form of the NewsREAL e-Newsletter were disseminated
periodically to keep staff updated of organisational events and officers’ achievements.
AVA also followed the nation’s drive to engage our citizens in the Our Singapore Conversation
(OSC) initiative. We organised internal OSC sessions for staff to engage in an open dialogue on
the vision, values, and priorities for our country, as well as to engender ownership and jointresponsibility in forging our future.
ORGANISATIONAL AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE
In AVA’s journey towards organisational and service excellence, emphasis is placed on continuous
improvements to our processes, policies, and systems.
AVA’s journey of continuous improvement also hinges on collaboration and engagement with
stakeholders, in order to ensure our processes are efficient and customer-friendly.
Teamwork and Innovation
AVA encourages staff to work in teams
recognising the effectiveness of having
diverse members, which include key
stakeholders to increase the validity and
usefulness of projects.
AVA organised internal OSC sessions for staff to engage in an open dialogue
on the vision, values, and priorities for our country, as well as to engender
ownership and joint-responsibility in forging our future.
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AVA recognises that a dynamic and
effective team requires the efforts of
members from diverse profiles, including
key stakeholders, to bring about fruitful
outcomes.
Innovative ideas are also harnessed through the AVA STAR (Striving and Aiming for Excellence
through Teamwork) and TWINKLE (Tapping Wild and Innovative Ideas for Knowledge, Learning
and Exchange) Schemes. A total of 1,665 ideas were contributed by staff and 34 STAR projects
were completed. On average, each staff contributed 2.02 TWINKLE ideas in FY 2012.
The AVA project team and project partners, along with AVA CEO Ms Tan Poh Hong (9th from left), received the
Minister’s (Team) Award 2012 from Minister for National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan during the National Day
Observance Ceremony on 8 August 2012.
Five teams won the Gold Award at the Singapore Productivity Association’s Team Excellence
Symposium 2012, while another three won silver. The winning teams showcased projects that
improve processes and enhance farming yield or productivity.
Organisational Excellence
To promote and inculcate a culture of excellence, AVA organised an Organisational Excellence
(OE) Festival from 30 May to 13 Jun 2012. About 490 staff participated in the two-week festival.
Themed “Bridging Minds with Hearts Together”, staff took part in group showcases, workshops,
learning journeys, and lunch time talks. Activities were organised in support of the Public Service
Week 2012, to encourage a sense of recognition to and appreciation for being part of the
Singapore Public Service.
Social Innovation Project
AVA participated in the Singapore
Polytechnic’s (SP) Social Innovation Project
(SIP) from October 2012 to February
2013. Under this project, we supported SP
students in creating innovative solutions
to animal welfare and management
issues. These suggested solutions were
taken board by AVA for consideration.
In the FY, our collaboration with the industry in spawning pompano fish broodstock won us the
Minister’s (Team) Award 2012. The award recognises AVA’s efforts in helping the industry secure a
reliable supply of locally spawned pompano, thereby reducing the reliance on imported fish fry.
A “fashion show” was staged to showcase how our work
contributes to organisational excellence.
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Service Excellence
AVA takes on a customer-centric perspective and
adopts a facilitator-developer approach to develop
its services.
At the Excellence in Public Service Awards Ceremony
held on 25 May 2012, AVA’s Ms Jolene Chan from
the Quarantine & Inspection Department received
the PS21 Star Service Award. This award recognises
public service officers who demonstrate a shining
spirit in delivering superior service excellence.
Also at the PS21 Excel Convention 2012, AVA staff
won two certificates of recognition for their efforts
in being an Outstanding Activist, and for being the
Best Ideator.
Ms Jolene Chan from AVA received the PS21 Star
Service Award from Mr Peter Ong, Head of Civil
Service, on 25 May 2012.
Pro-Enterprise Idea Award
AVA pro-business efforts were recognised at the Pro Enterprise Panel (PEP) – Singapore Business
Federation Awards 2012. Our initiative to remove licensing requirements for the use of artificial
sweetening agents won us Bronze under the PEP Awards – Public Sector Pro Enterprise Initiative
category.
In addition, AVA received the Quarterly Pro-Enterprise Idea Awards during the FY. Our post-entry
inspection was enhanced for the import of fresh fruits and vegetables. Previously, importers
were required to deliver their consignments to the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre (PPWC) for
inspection by AVA.
Following consultations with our stakeholders, cost- and time-saving improvements were made.
We now only require targeted fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of the entire shipment, to be
inspected. In addition, importers can also choose to arrange for inspection to be conducted at
their own premises.
Public Officers Working to Reduce Red Tape
The AVA held its inaugural industry consultation
session – “Public Officers Working to Reduce Red
Tape” (POWER) in January 2013. The session sought
to harness feedback from industry stakeholders
in reviewing and improving AVA’s operational
processes. The session was attended by 23
representatives from 13 local food establishments
and export firms, which frequently apply for AVA’s
Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC).
Through group discussions facilitated by AVA
officers, industry representatives presented a total
of 41 suggestions on how to improve and streamline
the VHC application process. Representatives
from SPRING Singapore, International Enterprise
Singapore, and the Pro-Enterprise Panel also participated in the discussions.
With the guidance of AVA officers, industry representatives
at the POWER session had a chance to sign up for an e-service
account for the application of the Veterinary Health Certificate.
AVA’s senior management deliberated these suggestions immediately and accepted 32 on the
spot for implementation.
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During the FY, various initiatives to enhance our service delivery and inculcate a customeroriented culture in AVA were implemented. A total of 129 officers were awarded Monthly Service
Awards to recognise their contribution toward service excellence. Additionally, eight officers
were given the Quarterly Service Awards, and two officers received AVA’s Annual Distinguished
Service Award.
Over 160 officers attended three Quality Service Manager (QSM) tea sessions, which were
conducted as a platform to recognise our Quarterly Service Awards recipients in the FY, and for
frontline officers to share and discuss areas for improvements.
In addition, more than 120 officers underwent service-related training that was mapped to the
nature and level of their work and their training needs, in FY 2012. To continually improve the
competency of our officers, AVA is in the process of reviewing its service training framework and
the Reward and Recognition programme.
To help build service mindset and culture, AVA launched WOW! Newsbites, an internal monthly
e-bulletin which carried bite-sized news on service initiatives.
During the FY, AVA’s Contact Centre was set up to ensure timely and effective management of all
enquiries and feedback received. We are also in the process of developing a Customer Relationship
Management System to streamline our processes in managing enquiries, feedback, and responses.
Work is also underway to revamp the AVA website to enhance the customer service experience.
Over 160 officers attended three Quality Service Manager tea sessions, which were conducted as a platform to
recognise our Quarterly Service Awards recipients in the FY, and for frontline officers to share and discuss areas for
improvements.
Leveraging on Info-communications Technology
Initiatives to Enhance Customer Service
Info-communications technology (ICT) plays a key role in supporting our organisation’s mission
and goals. By harnessing state-of-the-art technology to streamline our processes, we are able to
develop useful information systems for the benefit of our staff and our customers.
Improving Customer Services
Enhancements were made to our e-services as part of our efforts to improve services delivery to
our customers.
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In May 2012, we launched an online system for processed food importers to book inspection
appointment slots at their convenience even after office hours. Previously, appointments could
only be booked by calling AVA. The online system offers customers greater flexibility and savings
in time.
AVA also reviewed and improved the processes for customers who need to apply for our laboratory
services. We streamlined the application process by re-designing the online forms and removing
redundant fields on the form. Prior to the launch in September 2012, trials were conducted with
our stakeholders, who gave positive feedback.
Improving Operational Efficiency
During the FY, AVA streamlined its enforcement process and standardised the method for tracking
payments and reminders. In February 2013, we also developed a new Enforcement Management
System that serves as an effective and efficient system for processing and tracking enforcement
cases. The system, which allows cashless modes of payment, is also integrated with Subordinate
Court's system. These features have helped AVA reduce administrative effort.
We began the development of a new mobile inspection solution, which will be rolled out in FY
2013. With handwriting and photo-taking features, inspectors will be able to capture inspection
findings on-site using iPads.
Information and data stored in the mobile device can be transferred electronically to the backend
system, thereby eliminating double data entry. The solution will enhance data accuracy, timeliness
in submission of sample details to the laboratories, and help our officers reduce the time spent
travelling back to office to upload the data. Relevant reference materials required for our
operations, such as inspection manuals and photos of food products could be stored in the device,
thus eliminating the need to carry hardcopies.
To enhance internal communication and operational efficiency, we also set up a wireless network
within AVA’s headquarters to enable our staff to access ICT resources seamlessly.
Tightening ICT Security
AVA’s ICT security policy was reviewed and updated to ensure that our security policies, standards,
and controls are adequate to safeguard AVA’s ICT environment. Security vulnerability tests were
also carried out for all ICT systems with e-services and enhancements were made to mitigate any
security risk.
An ICT Security Awareness briefing was organised for AVA users in June 2012. We invited ICT
security experts to share information on ICT security threats and their counter measures. The
ICT Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) exercise was successfully carried out in the same month. This
exercise familiarised users of critical ICT application systems with the DRP process, so that AVA can
continue to provide its services in the event when critical systems are down.
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Categories of Staff
Regulatory Programmes &
Operations
Corporate & Technology
Management/Professional
Total
133
222
355
Technical Support
70
188
258
Non-technical Support
60
48
108
Operations Support
52
65
117
315
523
838
Total
Distribution of Staff by Qualification
Qualifications Classification
Total
Degree and above
362
Diploma
92
A-levels and below
384
Total
838
Distribution of Staff by Age Group
Age Classification
Total
51 and above
334
41-50
106
31-40
205
30 and below
193
Total
838
Performance in STAR for FY 2012
No. of STARs
No. of completed projects
41
37
Staff Strength for FY 2012
Performance in SPARKS for FY 2012
No. of suggestions
Participation rate
Suggestion ratio
1,665
83.3%
2.02
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staff development
Nurturing and
Valuing Our Staff
16.8
learning days
per staff
Local courses
Overseas courses
In-house courses
Talent Attraction and Development
Economics
Food science & technology
Hoticultural Science
7
scholarship
awards
100
Veterinary Science
Minister’s (Team) Award 2012
for AVA's success in spawning
pompanos in local waters
5 Gold & 3 Silver
Singapore
Productivity Association’s
Team Excellence
Symposium 2012
105 officers
1 Silver Public Administration Medal
2 Bronze Public Administration Medals
2 Commendation Medals
2 Efficiency Medals
PS21 Star
Service Award
awarded the AVA
long service award
Mr Koh Soo Keong,
AVA Chairman, was
bestowed with the Public
Service Medal.
awards and recognition
7 national day awards
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performance indicators
VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH & FOOD SAFETY
OUTCOME INDICATORS OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
OUTCOME INDICATORS
PERFORMANCE
Ensure a resilient supply of
safe and wholesome food to
Singapore
Number of cases of food-borne
illnesses per 100,000 population
There were 2.9 food-borne
illnesses cases per 100,000
population
Number of key food items that
has less than 50% of supply
from a single country
Achieved for key food items
for pork, chicken, and fish,
except for hen eggs and leafy
vegetables (for which imports
from Malaysia were about 75%
and 54%, respectively).
OUTPUT INDICATORS
ACTIVITY
VOLUME
To hold business cluster meetings/ trade
association meetings
10 business cluster meetings were held
To conduct food sourcing missions
7 food sourcing mission were conducted
To monitor the compliance status of locally
manufactured/ processed food with Food
Regulations
99.97% or 2,187 out of 2,192 samples collected
complied with Food Regulations
To conduct inspection and sampling of export
consignments within 3 working days
100% of inspections and samplings were made
within 3 working days
To process application for food establishments’
licenses within 5 working days from the date of
receipt of application*
100% of applications were processed within
5 working days from the date of receipt of
application
*Due to streamlined processes, the lead time required to process food establishments’ licences was reduced from 7 days
to 5 days during the FY.
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ANIMAL & PLANT HEALTH
OUTCOME INDICATORS
OBJECTIVE
OUTCOME INDICATORS
Safeguarding animal and plant
health
Percentage of freedom from
important animal and plant
disease outbreaks
PERFORMANCE
96.5% freedom or free from
outbreaks of at least 112 out
of 116* important animal and
plant diseases
*The Animals and Birds (Disease) Notification was amended on 1st September 2008 to include five aquatic animal
diseases. The five aquatic animal diseases are Epizootic ulcerative syndrome, Koi herpesvirus, Red sea bream iridoviral
disease, Spring viraemia of carp and White spot disease.
OUTPUT INDICATORS
ACTIVITY
VOLUME
To provide laboratory diagnostic and analytic
services to identify and manage animal diseases
and plant pests, as well as soil health related
problems
189,582 laboratory tests done
FOOD SUPPLY & TECHNOLOGY
OUTCOME INDICATORS
OBJECTIVE
Management of the local agriindustry (farming sector)
OUTCOME INDICATORS
Level of productivity of
vegetable, fish, and layer farms
in Agrotechnology Parks and
coastal fish culture farms
PERFORMANCE
Levels of productivity for
hen and quail eggs are at 15
million pieces per hectare, leafy
vegetables at 106.5 tonnes per
hectare, and fin-fishes at 31.63
tonnes per hectare.
OUTPUT INDICATORS
ACTIVITY
VOLUME
Accreditation of overseas food sources
29 inspection trips
To test food samples*
64,595
To conduct laboratory tests*
1,899,804
To manage farms within agrotechnology parks
and fish farming zones
224 land farms and 120 coastal fish culture farms
*In addition to sending food samples to VPHL, AVA has also sent food samples to external SINGLAS-accredited
laboratories for food safety testing. In FY 2012, a total of 90,806 tests were conducted on 12,605 food samples by the
external laboratories.
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performance indicators
AGRI-TRADE FACILITATION SERVICES
OUTCOME INDICATORS
OBJECTIVE
Facilitate trade of animal, plant
and food product
OUTCOME INDICATORS
PERFORMANCE
0.17% of certified export
consignments were rejected by
importing countries.
Ensure no more than 0.3% of
certified export consignments
are rejected from importing
countries
OUTPUT INDICATORS
ACTIVITY
ACTUAL VOLUME
To issue export and import documents for
animal, plant, and food products
44,919 export documents and 880,008 import
documents were issued.
INTERNATIONAL & REGIONAL COMMITMENTS
OUTCOME INDICATORS
OBJECTIVE
Represent the government
internationally on matters
related to or connected with
the agri-food and veterinary
sectors
OUTCOME INDICATORS
PERFORMANCE
Fulfil Singapore’s international
obligations in SEAFDEC, ASEAN,
APEC, and CITES
Fulfilled
Singapore’s interests in agrifood and veterinary services are
not compromised
Achieved
OUTPUT INDICATORS
ACTIVITY
104
VOLUME
To manage the Marine Fisheries Research
Department (MFRD/SEAFDEC) programmes
through the provision of infrastructure (land,
buildings and supporting facilities) and local staff
Implemented all regional projects and activities
under MFRD/SEAFDEC programmes, i.e. 3
regional projects, the SEAFDEC information
programme, and SEAFDEC Asia-Africa Science
Platform Programme
To participate in relevant meetings and
activities of AMAF, OIE, SEAFDEC, CITES, CODEX
Alimentarius, Bilateral, WTO FTA, APEC and IPPC
62 meetings attended
major sources of supply
United States
South Africa
China
Thailand
Vietnam
Philippines
Beef
Chicken
Duck
Fruits
Pork
Rice
Vegetables
Fruits
Fish
Cooking Oil
Fish
Fruits
Pork
Vegetables
Fish
Fruits
Rice
Sugar
Vegetables
Milk
Fish
Fruits
Rice
Vegetables
Fruits
Brazil
India
Malaysia
Indonesia
Australia
New Zealand
Beef
Chicken
Pork
Fish
Milk
Rice
Sugar
Vegetables
Chicken
Cooking Oil
Duck
Eggs
Fish
Fruits
Vegetables
Sugar
Milk
Fish
Cooking Oil
Pork
Vegetables
Milk
Beef
Fruits
Mutton
Pork
Sugar
Vegetables
Milk
Cooking Oil
Beef
Fruits
Mutton
Milk
105
statistics
CONSUMPTION, IMPORT & LOCAL FARM PRODUCTION FIGURES (JAN TO DEC 2012)
Tonnes
Beef†
Cooking
Chicken†
Oil
Hen Shell
Duck†
Fish†
Fruits^
Mutton†
Eggs
Pork†
Rice
Sugar
Vegetables^
(Mil Pcs)
Consumption
18,191
173,521
267,593 13,609
82,140 356,239
1,638
10,265 107,725 247,731 276,717
501,525
Import
26,718
183,343
431,624 13.647 103,859 388,364
1,237
10,548 110,744 357,622 414,372
501,412
-
-∆
Local Farm
Production
-
-
5,128*
-
402
-
-
-
-
21,405
* Figure includes coastal fish farm production, land-based fish farm production, and fish landings.
† Figures are aggregated based on live, chilled, and frozen forms.
^ Figures are aggregated based on fresh and chilled forms.
∆ There is no broiler farm in Singapore.
ex-farm price for primary produce (from JAN TO DEC each year)
($)
($)
10
9.39
9.15
9
8
Fish ($/kg)
10.02
9
8.46
7.87
7.53
8.88
7.96
8.86
8
7.67
7
7
6
6
5
5
4.39
Pig ($/kg)*
4
Chicken∆
($/kg)
Vegetable
($/kg)
3.56
3
2
Hen eggs
($/10pcs)
4.05
3.34
Duck ($/kg)∆
1
3.60
3.59
3.59
2.91
2.86
2.70
2.30
1.56
0.94
2.43
1.78
1.23
2.25
2.27
1.14
2.33
2.10
1.05
2.15
1.30
0.96
0.92
0.97
0.99
1.09
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
4.18
4.35
4
2.63
2.33
1.22
1.25
1.15
2008
2009
2.59
2.68
2.72
2.00
2.21
2.28
1.41
1.61 1.72
1.23
1.21
1.19
3
2
1
0
(Year)
106
1.42
4.18
0
* Auctioned price
∆ Wholesale price
10
2010
2011
2012
PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION (FROM JAN TO DEC EACH YEAR)
Item
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Chicken (kg)†
33
27
30
27
31
32
31
32
33
33
Pork (kg)†
20
21
19
20
21
20
19
20
19
20
Seafood (kg)†
27
27
27
26
25
24
24
22
23
22
- Fish (kg)
18
17
18
17
16
16
16
15
16
15
9
10
9
9
8
8
7
7
7
7
96
92
93
93
93
91
91
93
93
94
- Leafy vegetables (kg)
18
19
18
18
17
16
17
16
15
16
- Other vegetables (kg)
78
72
74
76
76
75
74
77
78
78
306
268
286
291
302
302
300
311
307
308
88
87
85
80
74
71
71
68
67
67
Beef (kg)†
3
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
Duck (kg)†
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Mutton (kg)†
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
- Other seafood (kg)
Vegetables (kg)^
Hen eggs (pcs)
Fruits (kg)^
Note: All calculations are based on total population. Total population comprises Singapore residents (citizens & PRs) and
foreigners staying in Singapore for at least one year. For breakdown of seafood and vegetable, figures may not add up to the
total due to rounding.
† Figures are aggregated based on live, chilled, and frozen forms.
^ Figures are aggregated based on fresh and chilled forms.
ACCREDITATIONS, SUSPENSIONS AND REINSTATEMENT OF PIG AND POULTRY FARMS (FY 2012)
FARM TYPE
Pig
Chicken Broiler
Duck Broiler
Chicken Layer
Chicken Breeder
Total
No. of new farms
accredited
0
4
1
1
0
6
No. of farms
suspended/delisted
0
18
4
1
0
23
No. of farms reinstated
0
21‡
4
1
0
26
No. of inspection visits
11
25
7
4
0
47
‡ Farms suspended due to SE, drug residues and major non-compliance with export conditions. Some of the broiler farms were
reinstated based on documentary evaluation without on farm inspection.
TRADE DOCUMENTATION AND IMPORT INSPECTION FIGURES (FY 2012)
Meat and meat
products
No. of traders
registered
No. of import
permits issued
Quantity and
value of products
approved for import
Fish and fish
products
2,858
Fruits and
vegetables
Processed food
1,133
9,591
20,995
192,065
221,206
351,531
275,630 tonnes
$1,168.15 million
207,436 tonnes
$1,267.46 million
909,782 tonnes
$1,075.17 million
3,699,838 tonnes
$9,707.08 million
107
statistics
ILLEGAL IMPORTS INTERCEPTED (FY 2012)
Meat and
seafood
Total no. of cases
No. prosecuted in court
No. compounded
Fruits and
vegetables
Poultry eggs
Animals and birds
CITES
Processed
food
16
375
2
13
8
371
1
0
1
4
1
0
11
348
0
2
3
17
No. warned
4
27
1
5
3
354
Others (relevant
particulars not
available, no action
required)
0
0
0
2
1
0
FARMING ACTIVITIES IN SINGAPORE (FY 2012)
Farm Type
No. of Farms
Net Area (Hectares)
Fish
Aquarium fish (breeding/export)
73
162.0
Marine/freshwater food-fish and shrimp (land-based)
10
39.7
Layer (hen eggs)
3
48.2
SPF eggs
1
3.0
Quail
2
4.7
Ornamental birds
4
10.2
Dairy cattle and goats
4
9.4
Frogs and crocodiles
3
11.7
10
9.5
Vegetables
46
104.1
Food crops
2
9.5
Bean sprouts
6
6.4
Mushroom
1
1.0
79
294.2
Aquatic plants
1
11.7
Fodder crops
1
4.7
Jatropha cultivation for bio-fuel research
1
1.7
Total (land-based)
247
731.7
Food-fish/crustaceans/molluscs (sea-based)
120
99.5
Animals and Birds
Dogs (breeding/ boarding/ training / commercial pet boarding)
Plants
Orchid and ornamental plants
108
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Sky Greens Pte Ltd and Apollo Aquarium for the use of their products and premises for photography,
as well as to the following staff members for their participation in the photo shoot:
Alwyn Tan (Regulatory Administration Group)
Amurudam Sinniah (Communications & Corporate Relations Group)
Chong Poh Choo (Communications & Corporate Relations Group)
Choo Xue Lian (Planning & Organisational Excellence Group)
Cliff Tham (Technology & Industry Development Group)
Diana Koh Jia Fong (Food Supply Resilience Group)
Farziana Bte Rosli (Quarantine & Inspection Group)
Joyce Lim (Food Supply Resilience Group)
Lai Kong Fatt (Corporate Resources Management Group)
Lau-Yeoh Nguan Joo (Food Establishment Regulation Group)
Nathaniel Tay (Agri Establishment Regulation Group)
Rockey Fong (Laboratories Group)
Photography, Creative Direction & Design by Artnexus Design Pte Ltd
5 Maxwell Road, #04-00 Tower Block, MND Complex
Singapore 069110
Tel: (65) 6325 7625, Fax: (65) 6220 6068
www.ava.gov.sg
you.

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