Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-02-15
Taiwan’s quarantine bureau has ordered local authorities to begin cracking down on farmers who continue to raise their poultry in open-air enclosures.
Health authorities advised farmers in July that the changes to the law meant they would have to begin placing their poultry in protective shelters. The measure was adopted to prevent the spread of diseases from migratory birds. However, bureau director Huang Tze-Chung said Wednesday that enforcement at the local level has been lax amid widespread resistance from farmers.
Now, after the appearance of H5N6 in eastern Taiwan, the quarantine bureau has told local health authorities that they must stop warning farmers and begin handing out fines. Current laws allow inspectors to fine violators up to NT$150,000 (US$5000).
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