Measures taken to stem bird flu from spreading through market

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has taken a range of measures to prevent bird flu spread in domestic market, its sources said on Monday.

The MOC has established a quick response mechanism in this area, making a daily report on the commodity market in the bird flu epidemic zone and monitoring the sales and price fluctuations of fowl and eggs in 113 major cities across the country.

Meanwhile, local authorities have also enhanced relevant regulations over poultry wholesale and retail enterprises, asking them to provide certificates so as to guarantee that products came from reliable sources.

The MOC stepped up management over poultry and livestock culling, urging slaughterhouses to conduct intensified disinfection over poultry transport vehicles as well as loading and unloading equipment.

Moreover, the ministry ordered local departments not to prohibit the transport of qualified and examined poultry products from epidemic zones, so as to safeguard the normal circulation of these products.

Source: Chinaview

27 March 2006