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| Tuesday, 23 March 2004 |
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by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy South Group Correspondent The question of contaminated chicken meat and eggs does not arise in Sri Lanka as the disease 'Avian Influenza' is not in our country. The undue fear among the consumers will deprive them of adding a valuable protein source in their diet, particularly in the most wanted group of growing kids, states the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association in a news release. The release adds that Avian Influenza (Birds Flu) which is a fatal disease in poultry was reported in many East Asian countries. The disease has never been reported in Sri Lanka. The Department of Animal Production and Health, the Competent Authority for Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases in Sri Lanka have stated that all effective measures have been taken to prevent the introduction of this dreadful disease into the country. Furthermore all possible restrictive measures are now in force in respect of import and poultry and poultry products. Disease diagnostic facilities have been strengthened and all veterinarians in the country are on the alert now. Further an active surveillance system against Avian Influenza has been established by the Veterinary Research Institute which includes sampling of birds from various sources of the poultry industry. Veterinarian Association's President Dr. (Mrs.) H. M. S. P. Herath said that compared to other animal proteins, chicken meat and eggs are cheap animal proteins available in the country at present. It is with pride, we state that our country is self-sufficient in poultry production. What is available in the retail market is chicken meat and eggs produced in our own local poultry farms which have not been affected by 'Avian Influenza.' The Veterinarian's Association said that they have observed that there is panic among the public on the consumption of chicken meat and eggs due to a wrong impression created that the poultry and poultry products are not safe for human consumption. As a result, the vital poultry industry has been devastated. It is a known scientific fact that human will not get this infection through consumption of poultry meat, eggs or poultry products. Further Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and International Office for Animal Disease (OIE) in its joint recommendation issued recently stated that 'There is no risk to human health from consumption of wholesome and properly cooked or processed products including eggs." Therefore, this question of contaminated meat and eggs does not arise in Sri Lanka as the disease, Avian Influenza is not in our country. The undue fear among the consumers will deprive them of adding a valuable protein source to their diet, particularly in the most wanted group of growing children. The Sri Lanka Veterinary Association makes fervent appeal to the consumers, especially to the mothers not to have unnecessary fear of consuming this valuable protein sources - chicken meat and eggs which are the cheapest source of protein available in the market today. |
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