August 9, 2006

Saudi government extends deadline to ban live poultry sales

Saudi Arabia has extended the deadline for vendors to halt live poultry sales within the city, the Saudi Press Agency reported Tuesday (Aug 8).

The deadline originally due this month, has been extended to Aug 6, 2007 to provide more time for small vendors to find alternatives. The measures were taken as part of efforts to prevent bird flu.

However, some vendors have complained that the move would force them out of the market as they could not compete against large operations capable of delivering a daily supply of freshly slaughtered poultry to the market.

In response, the Agriculture Ministry said it would give small vendors licenses to sell frozen poultry.