Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Benny Allen said restrictions will be imposed on poultry imports. This follows the increase in poultry imports which threatens the local poultry industry.
The minister was in Lae today for a consultation meeting with the Poultry Industries Association (PIA) to discuss issues affecting the industry.
The main area of concern was the increase in imports. According to Mr. Allen, the increase is due to gazettal number G459 which came into effect this year.
“Under that gazettal it opened doors for importers in PNG to import poultry from anywhere in the world. It does not restrict importers from importing chicken from specific countries” said Mr. Allen.
He said both the PIA and the government are equally concerned about this as it poses bio-security and economic threats on the local industry.
Mr. Allen said an amendment to the gazettal has been drafted, however further consultations had to made such as today’s meeting with the PIA.
“What we are trying to adopt now is the New Zealand standard. It is one of the highest in the world “said Mr.Allen.
Managing Director of NAQIA, Joel Alu, explained that NZ standards are free from diseases hence PNG will be adopting their standards.
The amendments made will allow for NZ standard imports only to enter the country.
“We want to ensure that that is done properly, we’ve consulted the industry so next week we should have the gazettal out” said Mr. Allen.
