Safety fears over smuggled birds

Fresh fears that unsafe poultry could have been sold at markets grew yesterday when it was revealed nearly $7 million worth of smuggled birds have been seized since the import ban was introduced.

On Sunday, Customs officers seized 7,600 chilled ducks and pigeons in the biggest poultry-smuggling case since last December. Officers said the problem was not expected to ease until the ban on the import of live ducks and geese was lifted late this month.

Customs seized 650 boxes of freshly slaughtered ducks and pigeons from a truck at Shataukok control point.

The poultry, without health certificates, were hidden behind 1,660 cartons of frozen chicken and meat in the 13-metre container.

The seizure was the ninth, and biggest, haul. Total seizures have been valued at $6.8 million. A wholesaler said: 'The case might only be the tip of an iceberg. There are thousands of container trucks crossing the border.'