The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government is discussing with concerned departments the issues on how to help out local poultrymen as the wholesale prices of eggs and frozen chicken have seen an upsurge in recent days.

On Feb. 11, the wholesale price of eggs in Macao was of 300 patacas (37.5 U.S. dollars) per box, almost three times the price before the outbreak of bird flu around neighboring nations and regions, which triggered a growth of over 20 percent in egg price on the market on Feb. 12.

Meanwhile, the price of frozen chicken increased by 4 percent, as the wholesale price saw a 40 percent growth since Feb. 9 when the SAR government suspended import of frozen chickens from the Delaware State of the United States.

It was reported that the price of frozen chicken from Brazil and the United States will continue increase as more and more frozen chicken-producing countries suspended their export.

The upsurge of price and suspension of live poultry import have affected the sale of Macao's poultrymen. Some of the poultry stores without product reserves have to suspend their business.

The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) has sent officials to make investigations and talk with heads of the Association of Poultrymen on how to deal with the situation.

Lau Si Io, president of the council of administration of the IACM, said that a draft plan on aid to the poultrymen made by the IACM is ready. The IACM will cooperate with other government departments in helping the poultrymen out of the dilemma.

The final plan will be published after discussions by both the government departments and the Association of Poultrymen, according to Lau. He appeals to the Macao residents to keep away from bird products sold by shops without license.

Meanwhile, poultrymen in Macao also got help from concerned departments of China's mainland city of Zhuhai. The Zhuhai government has decided to take special measures to ensure the egg supply for Macao.

The Zhuhai government has agreed to provide the Macao SAR with eggs from uncontaminated places of China's mainland with veterinarian's bill of health after checkup by the quarantine authority of Zhuhai.

Local analysts said that with efforts made by the SAR government and the help of the Zhuhai government, the Macao SAR is expected to resume normal supply of eggs in near future.

(Xinhua News Agency  February 14, 2004)