By MIRIAM MALAWA
AGRICULTURE Minister Aiye Tambua says his decision to impose a ban on frozen imported chickens has had a positive impact on local small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Papua New Guinea.
The ban on imported poultry products was announced some months back following concerns over the country’s biosecurity.
“This ban has generated more employment opportunities within our local industry, and it will continue to do so as we move forward,” Tambua said.
He said, particularly in the poultry sector, the ban is providing local SMEs with increased opportunities to distribute chicken.
He said the agriculture ministry’s aim is to elevate the industry while concurrently fostering the growth of local businesses.
“Some months ago, my office imposed a ban on the importation of cheap poultry into our country,” Tambua said.
“These chickens come from countries that don’t have good biosecurity measures.
“That is why, we imposed a ban.”
However, he said the ban does not extend to chicken imports from countries that meet the country’s biosecurity standards.
“We still allow the importation of chickens, particularly from countries such as New Zealand, which have strict biosecurity measures,” Tambua said.
He was responding to a question raised by Kerowagi MP, Francis Kikin Siune during question time in Parliament on Wednesday.
The Kewowagi MP asked the minister to inform the parliament about the conse-quences of the imposed ban on imported poultry products.
