Poultry Industry Association of PNG (PIA)

​Frozen chicken from Malaysia safe: Minister

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Tommy Tomscoll, said: “The importation was allowed after a careful and comprehensive risk assessment process, which actually started in 2006 when the importer first requested market access chicken meat from Malaysia.

“NAQIA is the only mandated Government biosecurity authority and is mindful of the current animal health status of PNG and makes every effort to maintain that status, albeit with limited government support.

​K900m poultry industry under threat

The Poultry Industry Association of PNG (PIA) raised the concern after discovering that uncooked frozen poultry products are being imported illegally.

“This is extremely dangerous for PNG farmers and wildlife because highly virulent H5N1 Avian influenza, or Human Bird Flu, Newcastle Disease and Infectious Bursal Disease, can be carried on frozen carcasses,” PIA spokesman, Dr Keith Galgal, said.

“This is a serious concern to PNG families and a breach of PNG import biosecurity protocols.