Food Committee sets conditions
KUWAIT CITY: The Food Safety Committee of the Kuwait Municipality has issued a decision to lift the ban on the sale of live chicken in Kuwait, reports Al-Qabas daily. Chairman of the committee, Mohammad Ghazi Al-Otaibi said the committee has endorsed a request of the Public Authority of Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) to allow poultry shops to sell live chicken on condition the shops adhere to some of the requirements of the committee. Meanwhile, Nabeela Al-Khalil director of animal health at the PAAAFR proposed the reopening of poultry shops for sale of live chickens under effective control of the Kuwait Municipality to ensure control and application of conditions laid down by the authorities which are in force. In her letter to the Kuwait Municipality Al-Khalil stressed on the need not to issue new licenses to poultry shops for one year.
She pointed out the Committee on Safety of Avian Flu during its meeting on May 30, 2007 had given a green light for the sale of live chicken for a period not exceeding one year or until such time slaughter houses are built to do this job in line with the trend in many countries of the region. She stressed on the need for these shops to abide by the conditions laid down by the PAAAFR in conformity with the instructions issued by the world organization for animal health, which was approved on June 12 last year.
The following conditions have been set up by PAAAFR for poultry shops selling live chicken:
Owners of shops must sign a pledge acknowledging the duration of their activity is not more than 12 months.
In the event of a bird flu disease or breach of the terms and conditions the shop will be closed immediately.
The walls and floor of the shop must be covered with ceramic tiles to maintain cleanliness.
The cages holding the birds should be made of stainless steel.
A commitment to clean daily the slaughter machines and garbage bins.
An undertaking to keep close the shop once a week for cleaning.
The place should be well ventilated, good sanitation and availability of fresh and hot water.
Use of small mobile pumps to clean the cages and equipment in the shop.
The workers must be subjected to periodic health checks.
The workers must wear rubber boots and wear plastic aprons during work.
Maintain a log to show the source of the purchase of birds.
Facilitate the task of inspectors.
© Arab Times 2007
