March 28, 2008

Taiwan to push through with ban on live poultry killings in April

The scheduled ban on live poultry slaughter in traditional markets will push through in Taiwan amidst protests, the National Science Council Chairman Chen Chien-jen said Thursday.

Chen said that by April 1, all chicken, geese and ducks should be slaughtered at licensed abattoirs.

However, complementary measures have yet to be completed, thus the government will postpone enforcement, originally scheduled for October 1, to three months to six months later, Chen explained.

The council explained that preparatory work, such as setting up electric slaughter houses, disinfecting facilities at the abattoirs, and launching a food safety publicity drive, is yet to be completed, and that related government agencies have said that more time is needed before the government begins to impose penalties.

Chen reiterated that the imposition of the ban is necessary to curb bird flu outbreaks in Taiwan.