Poultry adds K400m yearly

 THE Poultry Industry Association (PIA) said the industry has contributed more than K400 million towards Papua New Guinea’s economy annually.

President Stanley Leahy said that when praising deputy opposition leader Sam Basil for supporting the local farmers in rural communities. 

He said the figure was based on the distribution of commercial birds alone.

“It does not include non-commercial strains of village birds,” he added. 

Leahy said combined egg and chicken production from the four major commercial producers (Tablebirds, CLTC, Dothan and Zenag) contributed more than K750 million to PNG’s economy last year.

“With new commercial players emerging (LR Group in Hela) we expect those numbers to continue to increase. 

“We are conducting a similar exercise for 2013 and expect to have the results shortly.”

Leahy reiterated that the industry’s biggest concern remains PNG’s bio-security and protecting the country from the world’s worst avian diseases. 

“Our disease freedom is the cornerstone of the SME sectors success. 

“Disturbingly, despite our disease free status PNG’s current bio-security policies expose PNG farmers and wildlife to disease risks from countries worldwide – including our closest neighbours Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. 

“The PIA is not seeking to reduce trade. We simply believe PNG farmers deserve the same bio-security policies as our neighbours in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. 

“That is a ‘cooked only’ policy on the importation of all poultry products. 

“We hope to work with all necessary government departments to strengthen PNG’s bio-security. We are particularly optimistic that NAQIA’s recent change in management will help strengthen PNG’s bio-security authority and policies,” Leahy added.