Call to bring poultry sector under monitoring

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RAJSHAHI, Sept 13, 2018 (BSS)- Experts and researchers concerned at a
participatory discussion here unequivocally called for bringing the poultry
sector from its farming to marketing under a proper monitoring so that the
consumers in general can get safe and hygienic poultry meat and eggs.

They viewed ensuring best practice in poultry farming is very important
for a sound public health. So, there is no way but to bring the sector under
a close monitoring and close supervision.

They made this observation while addressing a daylong consultation
workshop of consumers committee supporting government monitoring system in
Paba Upazila Parishad Hall room in the district on Wednesday.

Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organized the workshop in
association with UKaid and British Council. An Issue-based project on “Food
Safety Governance in Poultry Sector in Bangladesh” supported the programme.

Chaired by CAB local unit General Secretary Golam Mostofa Mamun, the
meeting was addressed, among others, by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jahid Newaz
and its Vice-chairman Ashraful Haque, District Livestock Officer Dr Zulfikar
Akhter Hossain, assistant director of Department of National Consumers Rights
Protection Hassan Al Maruf and Upazila Livestock Officer Ismail Hossain.

Besides, CAB Project Field Officers Mohidul Hassan and Mozammel Haque
spoke as focal persons.

During his concept paper presentation, Agriculturist Mohidul Hassan, field
officer of the project, gave an overview of the country’s poultry sector.

He puts forward a set of recommendations on how to make the poultry sector
safe and hygienic. Using overrated antibiotic in poultry feed is harmful for
public health. So, time has come to look into the matter with utmost
emphasis. “We have to ensure safe poultry feed and good poultry farming
management,” he added.

Jahid Newaz said poultry industry has the potential to help Bangladesh
achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of eliminating malnutrition and
ensuring better health for the countrymen.

Dr Zulfikar Akhter mentioned that manufacturing and marketing of safe
poultry feed is very important for ensuring best practices of poultry
farming, adding that all concerned government and non-government entities
should come forward and work together to this end.

He told the meeting that time-fitting measures are being taken to bring
all the poultry farmers, traders, feed manufactures, sellers and others
concerned under necessary training to enhance their knowledge in this field.