Zanzibar poultry import ban remains in place
The government of Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar will not lift a ban imposed in 2005 on poultry imports, despite pressure from poultry farmers and retailers.
Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, the island’s Chief Minister said, “The ban will remain in force indefinitely.”
Poultry farmers, businessmen and residents have been urging the government to allow them to at least import poultry produce from the Tanzanian mainland, which, together with Unguja and Pemba, the islands that form
“We are aware of the difficulties the people have been facing,” Nahodha said. He added that the government would help poultry farmers on the islands to increase production instead. “The government can help purchase incubators and other equipment to increase production of chicks and eggs,” he said.
Khatib Suleiman, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Environment, said his ministry had intensified the war against possible outbreaks of bird flu on the two islands. He said the ministry would continue to inform poultry farmers, business people, community leaders, students and security personnel on bird-flu preparedness in 2007.
He urged the public to be patient and accept the government’s plans to protect them from bird flu.
