Happenings
MAFS Engages with Farm Animal Welfare Advocates to Advance Cage-Free and Better Chicken Commitment Policies in Malaysia
KUANG, SELANGOR — 7 July 2025
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) reaffirmed its commitment to improving animal welfare and promoting sustainable agriculture through a strategic visit to Uncle Rani Farm, which served as the site of a high-level engagement between senior government officials, financial institutions, and farm animal welfare advocates. The visit was led by Dato’ Sri Norazman Bin Ayob, Deputy Secretary General (Policy) at MAFS and the fourth-ranking official in the Ministry’s leadership hierarchy. His presence underscored the Ministry’s growing interest in supporting better welfare, cage-free egg production systems and in exploring policy alignment with the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).
Joining the visit was Ahmad Ariff Abu Bakar, Chief Development Officer of Agro Bank, signifying the important role of financial institutions in driving sustainable food systems and facilitating the transition of egg producers toward cage-free and humane-certified practices. The engagement was hosted and coordinated by Dr Saravanakumar S. Pillai (Dr Kumar), Senior Principal for Policy and Engagement for Farm Animal Welfare, and Adviser to the Malaysia Cage-Free Egg Producers Organisation (MCFEPO).
During the visit, key discussions centered on Malaysia’s progress and leadership in pioneering cage-free egg farming, including the role of certified humane producers and smallholder transitions. Participants explored how these advancements can complement MAFS’s policy roadmap on animal welfare, food safety, and sustainable agriculture.
“Malaysia is at a pivotal point in redefining the standards of poultry welfare,” said Dr Saravanakumar. “The Cage-Free transition and Better Chicken Commitment are no longer ideals, they are achievable realities. With the right policy alignment, industry backing, and producer support, we can build a national movement that uplifts animal welfare, protects livelihoods, and aligns with the public’s demand for ethical food.”
Dato’ Sri Norazman Bin Ayob acknowledged the rising relevance of animal welfare in public discourse and policy priorities. He stated, “We recognize the growing importance of animal welfare in the public and policy space and align well with Malaysia’s strategic direction on sustainable agriculture. We will explore synergies across government agencies and stakeholders to support producers in this transition”
Uncle Rani, the host of the visit and an early adopter of certified humane cage-free farming practices, expressed his appreciation for the government’s growing involvement. “We started this journey out of a belief that our hens deserve better, and that consumers want ethical choices,” he said. “Today’s visit proves that the government is listening, and change is on the horizon. This support is deeply encouraging for small and medium producers like us who want to do better.”
The session opened discussion around the need for governmental recognition and promotion of certified high-welfare farms, the importance of nationwide awareness efforts on cage-free systems, and the value of pilot programs that can demonstrate scalable and impactful models of transition.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in advancing food systems in Malaysia that are humane, resilient, and future-focused. Further engagements and inter-agency coordination efforts are expected to follow, as the country moves toward a more sustainable and welfare-conscious poultry sector.