Malaysia is to lift a two-year ban on New Zealand beef imports in a bid to break up a monopoly of local cartels, an official said Wednesday.

The move comes after the agriculture ministry vowed to ensure cheaper beef for Malaysian consumers.

The local market has been controlled by cartels since Malaysia imposed the ban in 2005 after the mainly Muslim country raised concerns that New Zealand cattle were not being slaughtered in line with Islamic halal requirements.

"We don't want the business to be monopolised by these groups," Aziz Jamaluddin, head of the veterinary services department, told AFP.

"Opening up the industry would also allow prices to be more competitive," Aziz said.

Aziz said Malaysia was now looking at halal beef abattoirs in New Zealand, as well as in Australia, India, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Sudan, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

"The new abattoirs must comply with halal meat requirements. Only those who can supply halal meat would be allowed to export their products here," he said, adding that inspectors would also determine whether the slaughter houses meet global standards on food safety.

The ban was imposed after Malaysia and New Zealand disagreed over the method of slaughter. According to the Malaysian halal standard, only electrical stunning to the head is allowed, which some animal rights activists had questioned as cruel.

Malaysia imports about 7,500 tons of beef monthly, with the annual bill at some 840 million ringgit (244 million dollars).

Before the ban, New Zealand beef accounted for between five and eight percent of Malaysia's market.