China denies reports on nationwide closure of live poultry markets 

China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Tuesday (Mar 10) denied a report by the local newspaper Beijing Times that said all live poultry markets in large and medium-sized cities would be closed this year.

The newspaper said Monday (Mar 9) that the ministry planned to close all live poultry markets in large and medium-sized cities this year, citing an unnamed MOA official. The report was then carried by some major web sites including the People's Daily website.

However, the ministry denied the claims by saying no officials from the ministry made that statement on Monday (Mar 9) and the ministry will not make such a unilateral decision as market supervision involves several departments.