Haiti ponders chicken ban

[NewsWhore]

Haitian officials are taking their time to decide whether to lift a ban on Dominican chicken imports. Puerto Rico has already lifted the ban. The delay in making the decision is causing concern for chicken farmers who are losing money on a daily basis. Haiti is the DR's large purchaser of eggs and chickens. Hoy writes that producers could lose over 1.3 million chickens totaling RD$52 million in losses. Victor Abreu from the Egg Producers Association said that each chicken costs RD$190, but that they would have to be sold for RD$50 if the ban continues. In addition, the Association is asking the government for a loan of RD$500 million at a 6% interest rate, through the Banco Agricola. The money would be used for importing vitamins and chicken feed. Abreu added that although the cost of nutrition products for chickens has increased, the price of eggs and chickens hasn't. Enriquillo Rivas, aviculture consultant, told Hoy that there is no epidemiological reason for Haiti to maintain the ban. He said that Haitian officials could be taking their time in order to get the opinions of international health officials. According to Rivas, 85% of eggs consumed in Haiti are produced in the DR. Rivas went on to say that he believed that the ban would be lifted soon. The consultant said that Haiti wants to demonstrate that it is doing its job, which is acceptable, but he did warn the Haitians not too take too much time since Dominican poultry producers are losing money.

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