May 2, 2013

 

 

Despite Chinese veterinary authorities' endorsement on the presence of influenza virus (H7N9) in their poultry, a large number of consignments of virus-infected Chinese chicken products are able to enter Pakistan for big fast food restaurants.

 

In its trade policy for 2012-15, Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce has imposed ban on import of chicken products from those countries which are under virus attack, yet customs department is violating the rules openly.

 

Due to the presence of the new virus at least 180 cases have been reported in China while more than 24 people have died there in just one month, industry sources informed and added that fatal virus can easily be transmitted into human beings particularly in children and aged people.

 

Sources confirmed that about 2,000-4,500 kilogrammes of chicken products are being imported from China, putting at risk thousands of citizens' lives who are unaware of the situation while chicken products including crispy chicken patty, grilled chicken patty, chicken nuggets, value chicken and chicken meat in large consignments are arriving at Karachi port on regular basis and all consignments are cleared without any warning of health hazards.

 

Sources said that customs authorities have endangered lives of Pakistani citizens by allowing unchecked import of Chinese chicken for large fast food restaurants in Pakistan.

 

Chinese authorities have killed 20,000 birds at a wholesale market in Shanghai with an advice to people to avoid live poultry while Hanoi chicken market has been shut down after isolating avian influenza virus H7N9 from a pigeon.

 

Sources confirmed that consignment of crispy chicken patty from China (Xiadian Town) of 6,804 kilogrammes arrived on March 6, 2013. Similarly, consignment of grilled chicken patty of 950 kilogrammes, consignment of chicken patty of 1,768 kilogrammes, consignment of chicken nugget of 4,665.6 kilogrammes, consignment of value chicken patty of 1,152 kilogrammes, consignment of chicken patty of 2,652 kilogrammes and consignment of value chicken patty of 2,288 kilogrammes arrived on March 06, 2013.

 

Sources also revealed that different consignments of crispy chicken patty, grilled chicken patty, chicken nuggets, value chicken and chicken meat totalling 41,931.44 kilogrammes was imported from China on March 27, 2013.

 

According to FAO (Food & Agriculture Organisation of UNO), it is revealed that a previously unknown avian influenza virus H5N1, which is not so lethal, has infected seven persons in China with at least six deaths but the latest reported cases have increased to 24. The World Health Organisation has shown its concern as to how the said virus has infected humans.

 

Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) former chairman Abdul Basit criticised the government's carelessness in this regard, urging the authorities to issue another notification to ban the chicken products infected with new virus of H7N9, which is more fatal.

 

He said that Pakistani chicken products are still banned all over the world due to outbreak of bird flu long ago in the country. Though the OIE has cleared the Pakistani products from bird flu, yet export has not gained pace due to the inefficiency of our foreign ministry, he added.

 

Former PPA central chairman said that it is really tragic and a matter of concern to note that Pakistan has taken no notice of the situation. He said that children and old age persons become easy victim of the virus while enjoying the contaminated chicken and its ready to eat value added products which are widely available at these golden arch outlets.

 

The present situation demands that Pakistan Health authorities, the Ministry of National Food Security & Research should immediately take notice of the consequences and order an immediate ban on import of Chinese chicken meat and its products to protect public from the clutches of this deadly virus.