Vietnam Resumes Poultry Trade - VIETNAM - Ho Chi Minh City reopened its poultry market today but remained on high alert for any signs of bird flu, said Vice Mayor Mai Quoc Binh. Chicken prices on the open market cost around VND70,000 per kg, but chicken was scarce with mainly ducks on sale.

Activities would be arranged to raise public awareness of food safety and hygiene in the wake of the bird flu, he noted.

Binh asked all departments and People's Committees at district level to monitor the transportation of poultry and unprocessed products and ban the illegal import of poultry products into the city.

The city animal health bureau will coordinate with provinces which supply chickens for the city to guarantee food hygiene and safety, Binh said. Some supermarkets will be specially chosen for selling safely checked chicken meat.

The city will consume chicken from bird flu-free cities and provinces or localities which have put the epidemic under control and were certified by the provincial veterinary departments. Processed products, including canned food, chicken pies and paste are suitable for consumption, he advised.

Source: eFeedLink - 5th March 2004