The International Poultry Council (IPC) has written to the leadership of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), urging them to support the continued shipments of poultry genetics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter dated March 25, IPC President Robin Horel explained that currently one of the global poultry industry’s biggest challenges during the coronavirus pandemic is “the inability to supply critical poultry genetics because of the suspension of most international air freight.”
“In the short-term, this creates significant animal welfare issues since many hatching eggs were placed in incubation prior to the current crisis. In the longer term, the inability to transport hatching eggs and day-old chicks/poults internationally will create huge issues for meeting food security needs worldwide,” Horel wrote.
The IPC asked the three organizations for public support for continuing air-transport of day-old chicks/poultrys and hatching eggs.
The IPC also stated that during the coronavirus pandemic, the council continues to make worker safety, food safety, animal health and welfare, and food security and sustainability high priorities. The global poultry industry is feeling an even greater responsibility, Horel wrote, because a sense of panic has shown up at supermarkets and has increased the demand for poultry products.
IPC further pledged in its letter to continue to liaise with the OIE, FAO and WTO to dal with any food safety, worker safety and food supply issues that may arise.
IPC is the association that represents the poultry sector globally. Its 29 member countries and 55 associate members represent about 90% of poultry meat production and 95% of poultry meat exports worldwide. Its members include international companies producing genetics, equipment and animal health products for the sector, as well as companies engaged in the distribution and sale of poultry meat products.
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