RAJSHAHI, Feb 27 (BSS): Poultry scientists and researchers at a discussion here have called for promoting bio-security measures in poultry farming for producing safe poultry meat.
They also mentioned substantial and sustainable promotion of bio-security measures can be the vial means of curtailing the dependence on antibiotics in poultry sector as excessive use of antibiotic is harmful to the public health.
The observation came at a consultation meeting on the issue at Paba upazila office of Department of Livestock Services in the district on Tuesday.
Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organised the workshop in association with an issue-based project titled "Food Safety Governance in Poultry Sector in Bangladesh" and UKaid and British Council".
Chaired by District Livestock Officer Dr Zulfikar Akhter Hossain the meeting was addressed, among others, by Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Monirul Islam, Veterinary Surgeon Dr Khandaker Sagar Ahmed, CAB district unit general secretary Golam Mostofa Mamun and its upazila unit president Kazi Nazmul Islam.
Field coordinators of the project agriculturists Mohidul Hassan and Mozammel Sheikh addressed the meeting as focal persons.
The discussants viewed good poultry farming practice in addition to ensuring safe poultry and its production is very vital for making public health free from various diseases.
They mentioned there should be adequate measures to bring all the poultry farmers, traders, feed manufactures, sellers and others concerned under necessary training to enhance their awareness in this field.
All quarters like farmers, hatchery owners, poultry bird sellers, feed meal manufacturers and sellers and the field level officers and staffs should work together to this end.
There is no alternative to substantial and sustainable promotion of good poultry practice. Dr Zulfikar Akhter Hossain stressed the need for ensuring safe feed and resisting high-powered antibiotics use to get best quality poultry meat.
He clarified that the farmers normally use antibiotics against the diseases caused by bacteria.
He said if the farmers erect boundary wall around the poultry farm and adopt precautionary measures the farm could be protected from infection of diseases caused by bacteria. In that case, the production cost can be reduced.
Dr Zulfikar Hossain urged the poultry farmers not to use any antibiotics without recommendations of veterinary doctor.