February 13, 2007

 

Poultry safety remains problematic in Vietnam

 

 

Although Vietnam has made every effort to control the illegal transport, slaughtering and trading of poultry, poultry safety remains sorely lacking at communal levels.

 

Many poultry vendors still carry chickens from questionable sources and some were still selling live chickens, which had previously been banned, Vietnam's media reported.

 

Local media reported that according to the Hanoi Veterinary Service, 60 percent of the poultry sold in the city are transported from neighbouring provinces and only one fifth is controlled by veterinarians.

 

In addition, almost all equipment of the six commercial abattoirs in the city have failed to meet hygiene and safety regulations.

 

Despite a ruling that poultry are to be sold with seals certifying they are safe, many still do not carry seals on them, though they were all presented with certificates granted by veterinarians. In some markets, live poultry are still sold. 

 

According to Pham Ba Duc, deputy director of the Hanoi Trade Department and head of the Hanoi Market Management Agency, veterinarians at the city's eight checkpoints find it hard to control the transportation of poultry from other localities to Hanoi as illegal vendors weave their way in and out of traffic.

 

However, more certified poultry places and commercial abattoirs would be established to expand local supplies. Market areas for trading poultry products would be marked out and modern poultry and cattle abattoirs would be built, authorities promised. Inspection of certified poultry and poultry products in all markets would also be intensified, they said.

 

The Municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that in 2006 about three-quarters of all poultry were vaccinated against bird flu.

 

However, safety is poorer in rural areas, where farmers still rear their chickens free range.

 

In the face of bird flu recurrence, the Hanoi People's Committee has asked local agencies to take preventative measures such as vaccination and disinfection before the Tet festival next week.