Singapore's poultry and egg merchants are working with their Malaysian suppliers to ensure a smooth supply of poultry and eggs, should the H1N1 flu continue to spread in the republic.

According to Channel News Asia, the plan is to designate a spot near the Tuas Checkpoint, where a Singapore driver takes over the vehicle. The vehicle will also be disinfected.

The designated spot is a car park at Tuas West Road, a five-minute drive from the Second Link.

This is to minimise the exposure of the Malaysian drivers to the flu virus, and reduce the risk of cross-border transmissions.

The merchant associations here say they will absorb any temporary price increases in eggs and poultry should the plan go ahead.

Singapore imports most of its poultry and eggs from Malaysia.

One problem the associations face, however, is finding enough drivers. This is because Malaysia-registered lorries cannot be driven by those holding a Singapore driving licence.

The Poultry Merchants Association of Singapore and the Singapore Eggs Import and Trading Association are compiling a list of local importers which they plan to submit to the Manpower Ministry and Land Transport Authority.

They hope that the authorities will grant their workers temporary licences to drive Malaysia-registered vehicles.