Poultry venders defy ban on sale of live birds

Poultry venders in the Central Business District of Accra especially Makola market, are defying a ban on the sale and movement of live birds to prevent the spread of the avian influenza (Bird flu).

The directive came from the Veterinary Service Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).

A team from Ghana News Agency (GNA), which visited a number of markets in Accra on Wednesday, saw poultry venders briskly doing business despite the ban.

Broilers were being sold from GHȼ60.00 to GHȼ66.00, while old layers went for GHȼ30.00 to GHȼ55.00.

The poultry venders who said they are aware of the ban however appealed to government to as a matter of urgency control the ravaging bird flu, which has engulfed some poultry farms in the country

Mohammed Atinyine, a poultry vender told GNA that the situation demands that government takes urgent steps to save the poultry industry from collapsing.

He said the poultry industry is the only source of their livelihood and therefore; if it collapses, they would be rendered unemployed.

He explained that following the disease outbreak in the country, they usually seek clearance from the Directorate before buying their birds from any farm.

Mr Edward Azumah, a poultry vender urged the MOFA to intensify mass education on the avian flu to create more awareness.

Mr Kofi Antwi, a businessman lauded government for the directive, stating that it would speed up efforts to control the disease.

So far 3,600 birds from two farms in Denu and Keta in the Volta Region have being destroyed by the Directorate due to infections on the farms.

Source: GNA