POULTRY SLAUGHTERING IN WET MARKETS (Phasing out)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for the Environment whether the phasing out of poultry slaughtering in wet markets has achieved its objective and whether there have been complaints from consumers about the freshness of the poultry.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am pleased to inform the House that with poultry slaughtering phased out in the last lot of wet markets on 1st March this year, the exercise, which started in April 1991 has been successfully completed.

The general condition of the 102 wetmarkets has improved markedly. Today, wet markets are no longer messy. The floors are now much drier. Odour, noise, littering and waste water from live poultry stalls have also been eliminated.

The dressed poultry sold in wet markets and other retail outlets are now entirely supplied by licensed poultry abattoirs. The poultry are hygienically and freshly slaughtered and the date of slaughter is tagged. Poultry that are slaughtered according to Muslim rites are also tagged halal.

There were no complaints received from consumers on the freshness of poultry since the law requiring the date marking of dressed poultry was introduced in July 1992.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, I would just like to find out from the Minister how many licensed abattoirs are presently supplying slaughtered poultry to wet markets and other retail outlets and whether approval will be given for more abattoirs to be set up in different parts of Singapore for the convenience of the poultry sellers.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, at present, there are 13 licensed poultry abattoirs and their combined output is sufficient to meet the demand for dressed poultry from wet market stalls, supermarkets, retail outlets and food establishments. In addition, Sir, four new licensed poultry abattoirs will be commissioned soon.

Encik Ibrahim bin Othman (Thomson GRC): Sir, can I ask the Minister whether the Ministry sends its officers to check on abattoirs, especially on the slaughtering of halal chicken, and how often does the Ministry check on these abattoirs?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: We do send Public Health Officers to inspect abattoirs, especially the ones that are slaughtering halal chicken and we do it as frequently as we can because Public Health Officers have other functions to perform as well.