AVA buys up surplus chickens and ducks on Pulau Ubin for slaughter

By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia
Source: 20 September 2004

SINGAPORE: Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) officials were back on Pulau Ubin on Monday to buy up any surplus chickens and ducks on the island so as to ensure that families on the island do not have more than 10 birds each.

This quota was set to minimise the chance of the backyard farms on the island getting infected with the bird flu virus.

The deadline for 18 farming families to get rid of their extra birds is Tuesday.

Fortunately, some have managed to sell off their surplus birds.

The AVA bought up the rest - some 75 chickens and ducks - for between $10 and $20 each.

Residents were generally happy with the deal as the prices offered are comparable to market prices.

The birds will be slaughtered before being distributed to the Salvation Army homes. - CNA