Newcastle Disease poses no risk to food safety in Singapore

Today Online 23 Oct 10;

Every day, Singapore imports about 3.7 million eggs, 125,000 broiler chickens and 20,000 broiler ducks from Malaysia.

And the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) says Newcastle Disease which is reportedly affecting a few poultry farms in Malaysia exporting eggs to Singapore, does not pose a risk to food safety.

AVA said it only affects animal health and farm production.

The disease is a contagious viral disease of birds and is endemic in the Southeast Asia Region.

Affected birds may show respiratory and nervous symptoms and in severe cases, sudden death.

AVA says it has worked closely with the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) to assess the disease situation, including making visits to affected farms.

The AVA inspection teams have completed visits to affected farms.

The teams did not observe high mortality of chickens in these farms and noted that the vaccination against Newcastle Disease had been effective.

The egg exporters have also provided assurance that egg exports to Singapore will not be affected as the production capacity of the egg farms will continue to be able to meet Singapore's demand.


Egg and poultry supplies from Malaysia still stable
Straits Times 23 Oct 10;

SINGAPORE'S supply of eggs and poultry from Malaysia remains stable despite a viral disease affecting some farms there.

A few poultry farms exporting eggs to Singapore had recently been affected by Newcastle Disease. This contagious viral disease causes decreased production in birds and, in severe cases, sudden death.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), which oversees food safety issues here, said in a statement yesterday that the disease affects only animal health and farm production. It does not pose a risk to food safety, so the eggs and poultry being exported to Singapore are safe for consumption.

It added that there has been no significant change in the amount of eggs and poultry imported from Malaysia so far.

Singapore imports approximately 3.7 million eggs, 125,000 chickens and 20,000 ducks from Malaysia daily.

The agency has also received assurance from egg exporters that the production capacity of the egg farms will continue to meet Singapore's demand.

AVA, which has completed inspections of the farms, said the vaccination of the birds against the disease has been effective and it did not observe high mortality in chickens at the farms.

It will continue to work closely with the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia to monitor the situation to ensure a safe and adequate supply of eggs and poultry in Singapore.