NAQIA: Up poultry supply

By WANPIS AKO
LOCAL poultry farmers have been urged to increase their output to meet local demands following a ban on the import of uncooked chicken from, New South Wales, Australia.
Dr Nime Kapo, the chief quarantine officer with the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, said the ban would remain despite demand and supply issues.
“The local market has to consider other alternatives by importing it from other suppliers in Australia or from other countries,” he said.
“Better still, local producers can increase their supply to meet the demand.”
Kapo said because the poultry industry in Papua New Guinea was so concerned about Newcastle disease, a viral chicken disease that recently affected an egg producing farm in NSW, NAQIA, took the measure to protect local chickens and birds.
“The risks posed by the situation there are alarming for chickens and wild birds here.
“So we, as the mandated state agency, have taken the justifiable measure to protect the national bio-security,” he said.
“The ban will be in effect for an indefinite period until and that is only if the situation there is contained absolutely.”
According to the Wealth Organisation for Animal Health standards, the ban can be lifted after three months. 
Chickens and birds in Malaguna village, East New Britain, were depopulated by the disease in 2006 but NAQIA contained it.
Kapo said there had never been any bird flu experienced in the country yet.
He said in Port Moresby chickens would die from heat stroke, given the high temperature if their shed had not been built adequately.
This was experienced at the ATS 8-Mile block, outside of the nation’s capital.
He did not disclose the quantity of chicken products imported from the state.