Dispute between poultry traders and the government on the issue of poultry import from the Chinese mainland is intensified Wednesday as traders threaten to boycott live poultry on Thursday.

Poultry traders insisted that the current supply of 20,000 live poultry a day from the mainland is not enough for the market and they will eventually out of business if the rule continues.

They threaten to protest the cap by refusing to buy live poultry Thursday.

While the department of Health, Welfare & Food, which is responsible for the poultry import policy, said it is necessary to maintain the current supply at around 20,000 a day, Deputy Secretary of the department Eddy Chan also urged traders not to take dramatic action.

He assured that the authority will maintain dialogue with retail live poultry traders and appeal for their support and understanding in respect of the preventive measures.

He pointed out that with the recent case of human infection in Hubei Province, there is a continuing need for the government to adopt a prudent and cautious approach.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2006)