November 29, 2006

China may phase out live poultry markets

China has been considering plans to phase out live poultry markets to fight bird flu more effectively, according to a document released by the State Council.

In a country with a lack of refrigerated trucks and where poultry comes usually from scattered farms instead of integrators, live poultry markets have been the norm

The State Council is planning to put a halt on any new live poultry markets and to move current ones out of densely populated areas, especially those in large and medium-size cities.

Even so, the document is officially an "opinion" of the State Council, and not a law.

The State Council also urged local governments to regulate wholesale chicken markets and ensure that sanitation standards were adhered to.

Areas engaged in live poultry trading should also be segregated from other farming products in the marketplace in both rural and urban areas, the State Council said.