They can be named as the inadequate access to clean and safe water, increasing use of pesticides and other chemicals in agriculture, excessive food additives in food processing and lack of consumer education.
In early 1987, there was a case where Singapore rejected import of vegetables from Malaysia due to high dithiocarbarnate residue. Similarly in 1993 Brunei rejected vegetables from Sabah and Sarawak due to high level of pesticide residue. Another aspect of sustainable agriculture which becomes important concern among consumers is
about the animal welfare issues especially the improvement of animal welfare in animal husbandry,transportation, handling and slaughtering. Consumers often link the issues of animal welfare with environmental sustainability, food quality and human health. Malaysian government had launched the good agricultural practices (GAPs) to promote to
the farmers, animal and fish breeders to enhance the objectives of sustainable agriculture and improve the food quality, safety, security and productivity.Furthermore, Malaysian Farm Accreditation Scheme (SALM) was implemented by the Department of Agriculture in 1992 to recognize and certify the farms which adopt good agricultural practices (GAPs).
SALM was first developed for fresh fruits and vegetables sector which operated in a more environmental friendly way and yield products that are safe and high quality and now SALM has been applied to livestock husbandry and aquaculture.
Besides SALM, Malaysia government also introduce Malaysia Organic Scheme (SOM) which is a certification program that accredits the farmer who operates his farm in compliance with the standard conditions set by the national organic standard. It provide guidelines on the production, processing, labelling and marketing of plant based on organically
produced foods which is according to the Malaysia Standard. Since synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited to use under the organic farm system, it will minimized the environmental pollution and the incidental poisoning of farm workers. Therefore, these schemes will benefits to not only the consumer but also the producers, environment and worker.