Published: Tuesday September 3, 2013 MYT 6:25:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday September 3, 2013 MYT 10:13:25 PM
Poultry slaughtering banned in wet markets to curb river pollution, spread of infectious diseases
Chickens for sale at a market in Sibu. Starpix by ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE
PUTRAJAYA: The National Council for Local Government has banned poultry slaughtering from being carried out in traditional markets in local authority areas to prevent river pollution and curb the spread of infectious diseases.
The decision, which was made at the council's meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here Tuesday, was aimed at curtailing infectious diseases caused by slaughtering activities and water pollution due to the flow of effluence into rivers.
The council also approved guidelines on the slaughter of chicken, ducks and birds in the local authority areas, it said in a statement.
The meeting was also attended by Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
It said the move would also ensure that poultry were slaughtered according to appropriate, orderly, and hygienic processes, as well as to observe halal certification imposed by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and state Islamic religious councils.
The statement said this was also aimed at decimating cockroaches, flies and rats as well as controlling solid waste in markets. - Bernama