Farmers not in favour of vaccinating fowls
The Star, 29 Mar 2006

THE Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations Malaysia has objected strongly to the suggestion that poultry be vaccinated against avian flu, China Press reported. 

Broiler unit chairman Yap Kim Hwah said the reason for the objection was that there was no H5N1 but only H5N2 vaccine. 

“Once we start the vaccination, the price of poultry will go up as the cost will be passed on to consumers.” 

Earlier, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said the Veterinary Services Department was looking into

whether there was a need to vaccinate the birds in poultry farms. 

Nanyang Siang Pau said in a report that the federation's layer unit chairman Lim Yeow Her had urged poultry farmers to continue culling ageing birds to reduce the supply of eggs in the market. 

According to him, the prices of eggs of all grades had dropped since the first case of avian flu on Feb 20. 

“This is the worst situation the poultry industry has faced. The prices for farm eggs have dropped 2 sen to 3.5 sen per egg compared with last week,” he said. 

In fact, he said, prices had dropped 8 sen per egg since Chinese New Year, and poultry farmers had been losing some RM1.28mil every day.  

The daily also reported that some Chinese physicians in Malaysia were against changing the name of their profession to “traditional Chinese medical doctor”. 

On Monday, the Chinese Physicians Association of Malaysia passed a resolution to apply to the Health Ministry for the change. 

Those objecting to the move feel that it is not necessary, as it makes no difference to their role. The existing name is also being used in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.