Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said eggs imported from India will only be allowed for use in the bakery industry.
A set of guidelines regarding the use of imported eggs is to be issued for those in the bakery industry soon, he said.
The minister emphasized that measures are taken to prevent the entry of the Bird Flu virus into Sri Lanka, and further vigilance should be taken to prevent such a situation.
The Minister instructed Animal Production and Health Department Director General Dr. C.H. A. Kotalawala to immediately prepare guidelines regarding the use of these eggs in the bakery industry.
He also advised the use of gloves when using these eggs in the bakery industry, the safe disposal or destruction of eggshells, and making sure that no remaining eggshells are released into the environment. It was also emphasized that the bird flu virus should not be allowed to enter the country.
Amaraweera noted that this should be the last time that eggs will be imported in this country and the production of eggs and chicken meat needed by the country should start within the next few months.Minister Amaraweera was speaking at a meeting held on Thursday to discuss the plan aiming at importing eggs and the development of livestock industry in the country.He stressed that if eggs are still imported, the Ministry of Agriculture does not need a Livestock Division and Animal Production and Health Department.
The Government recently decided to import eggs to mitigate the egg shortage in the country.But the Animal Production and Health Department had not given permission for egg import considering bird flu pandemic reported from several countries. However, taking into account the shortage and need of eggs in the country, the Department has given permission to import eggs temporarily.