DNA member Jeffrey Lau wants the government to take stricter measures to prevent poultry that has died from disease from being slaughtered and sold to consumers. According to the parliamentarian, an integrated approach is necessary to protect society against the risks of bird flu.
During a recent meeting of De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament), Lau pointed to the damage bird flu has caused in the poultry sector. He also expressed concern about the lack of oversight of the slaughter and sale of poultry.
According to Lau, there is a clear difference between inspections of the slaughter of cattle and pigs and those of poultry. While meat from cattle and pigs is inspected by meat inspectors, a comparable inspection system for poultry is lacking, he said.
The parliamentarian acknowledges that oversight of the poultry sector poses a major challenge. There are numerous small-scale entrepreneurs who slaughter and sell chickens, ducks and other poultry. In addition, many citizens keep and slaughter poultry for their own use.
Despite these challenges, Lau believes the government must prevent animals that have died from disease or other causes from nevertheless entering the food chain. He therefore urges the responsible ministry to take appropriate control measures.
Lau realises that implementing this will not be easy, but stresses that public health must come first. “To protect society, no dead chickens should be sold to the public,” the parliamentarian said.
