Government efforts to monitor and control bird flu continued uninterrupted over the Lunar New Year holiday period as officials worked daily to implement and strengthen measures. And with poultry markets reopening and meat supplies resuming tomorrow, the efforts must be heightened even more, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today while visiting the avian influenza command center of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ).
Accompanied by Vice Premier Chang San-cheng and Council of Agriculture (COA) Minister Chen Bao-ji, the premier thanked the center's staff members for working tirelessly to monitor and combat the bird flu. During the six-day break, the center held meetings daily and videoconferenced local governments to receive real-time updates. The premier expressed special gratitude to central and local officials who gave up their holiday to help fight the epidemic.
The premier is very much concerned about plans for restoring poultry production after the epidemic winds down, said Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun. Mao instructed the COA to step up communications with farmers and local authorities and ensure successful implementation of the plans. Hopefully the outbreaks can be quickly brought under control in the new year ahead so that farms can resume operations soon.
Minister Chen said the COA is already speaking to and making plans with businesses about restoration. Videoconferences with deputy chiefs of city and county governments will also be arranged at the appropriate time to strengthen communications.
Sporadic cases of bird flu were reported in different places over the holiday break, indicating that the virus is still lurking in the environment, the COA said. The government will stay vigilant and continue all measures to keep bird flu at bay.