16 September 2010 03:15 pm Views - 4223
The Animal Production and Health Department has granted approval to import day old chicks to the country as there might be a shortage in eggs in November this year, Director General of the Department, Dr. Nimal Chandrasiri told Daily Mirror online.
The poultry farming owners, egg producers, hatchery owners and the animal production and health department arrived at this decision following a discussion.
The Director General explained that this move was not taken previously as there was a risk of avian influenza spreading in chicken.
Dr. Chandrasiri said they arrived at this decision reluctantly because November is a festive season and there will be a need for eggs as there are many egg based food prepared during this season.
As the risk of spreading avian influenza still exists, the department will take steps to import chicks from countries that have been named by the World Health Organization to not have avian influenza.
Dr. Chandrasiri said accordingly poultry farmers or any group can import up to 200,000 chicks from
He reiterated that importing chicks from Asian countries including
The annual consumption of eggs has increased to 100 million and the monthly consumption is 9 million, therefore close to 275,000 eggs are being consumed on a daily basis. (Daily Mirror online)