Mandalay Region Poultry and Egg Production and Trading Association secretary U Nay Thurain said that Chinese birds are often compromised by the use of different substances when raising birds, contrary to Myanmar practices, reported the Myanmar Times.

He said that the use of these different substances could threaten consumers' health.

He also raised the possibility that chicken imports may be contaminated by disease. Despite the efforts of customs and livestock officials, the chickens are believed to be entering Mandalay every day.

“This smuggling should be stamped out completely. It could cause outbreaks of disease both in consumers and in locally raised birds if the virus spreads in farms. There is plenty of local chicken,” said U Nay Thurain.

Chicken farms on the Chinese border in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region are particularly at risk of infection, as they are close to smuggling routes.

The authorities are strengthening protections both at the border gates and the deployment of mobile teams, which will also check cold-storage rooms in Mandalay.

“We won’t sit idly by as disease spreads. We must step up our checks in the hope of stamping out the smuggling rings. Violators face serious penalties,” he added.

Most neighbouring countries impose strict control on the cross-border movement of birds and eggs, he said.