Consumption of birds ‘still safe’ despite bird flu outbreak – Agric Minister (story 2)
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie has downplayed the fears of Ghanaians to consume birds despite the outbreak of bird flu in the country.
Dr. Akoto insisted that consumption of birds in the country is “still safe”.
He made this known at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Information on the said outbreak today, Wednesday, January 26, 2021.
According to him, the Ministry through the Veterinary Directorate inspects closely before birds are allowed to be transported from one region to the other.
Dr. Akoto insisted that permits for the transportation of birds across regions is done carefully to avert any undesired result.
“But I can assure the nation that the consumption of birds in the country is still safe because we are monitoring the transfer of birds from one region to the other and we don’t give movement permits without checks.”
Meanwhile, he also said a total of 159 farms have been affected by the outbreak in the country.
“A total of 159 farms that have been affected and 443,406 birds have died from the disease and 550,227 birds have been destroyed by the Veterinary Services Department.”