July 23, 2013

Live poultry markets reopen in Shanghai

An additional 12 live poultry markets have recently reopened in Shanghai, including Antu market in Yangpu district and Pingyang market in Minhang district, putting the number of poultry markets that have resumed business to 17.

But no market in the city's central urban area has resumed trading.

According to the new regulations of the city's business commission, the venues for live poultry can only be set up in wholesale markets with an area of more than 1,000 square metres and the area for poultry trading should be at least 50 square metres. Poultry may only be slaughtered in selected markets and the sales floor must be isolated from the area designated for slaughtering, which must be larger than 15 square metres, according to the city's Trading Norms of Live Poultry.

The new regulation on live poultry trading also states that all markets must carry out regular inspections of sellers and equipment facilities. Markets must also ensure that animal-borne diseases are prevented and food safety and environmental regulations are upheld.

The size requirements for live poultry markets might explain the absence of markets in Shanghai's central urban area, although a batch of markets in the city-centre is being reconstructed.

Influenced by the outbreak of the H7N9 bird virus, sales for the catering industry that use poultry went down by 80%. To prevent the spread of the virus, the government closed many markets in many regions, including Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.