March 14, 2006

Poultry farming ban extended in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City will extend its ban on poultry farming until February next year, as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The ministry said resuming poultry farming now could pose risks as many farms did not meet safety requirements.

Furthermore, the southern hub is the country's most populated city and a bird flu relapse will have a major impact on the country both economically and socially, said the ministry.

Only six poultry farms in the city met safety requirements, according to a report by the municipal Animal Health Department.

Vietnam has not reported any new cases of the bird flu among poultry for almost three months.