Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on free-ranging chickens at Sungei Api Api
Apr 4, 2017
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development
(a) how many residents have complained about the free-ranging chickens at Sungei Api Api;
(b) how many chickens have been culled at Sungei Api Api; and
(c) whether AVA will consider vaccinating all free-ranging chickens against bird flu instead of culling them.
Answer:
Following feedback from residents on the presence of significant numbers of free-roaming chickens in Sungei Api Api, AVA did a check and found that there were more than 100 chickens in the area. Hence, AVA had taken actions to remove some of the free-roaming chickens to better manage the bird flu risk. This was done at around the same time as the operations in the Sin Ming Avenue area, and although there is a recent news report that gave the impression this happened after my PQ reply, this was not the case.
The vaccination of free-roaming chickens alone may not be an effective solution to manage the bird flu risk. There are many bird flu strains and the virus has been known to mutate. While bird flu vaccinations can provide some partial protection against certain strains, the vaccinated chickens can still be infected by other strains that are not covered by the vaccination, particularly since the free-roaming chickens are free to interact and make contact with other wildlife. Moreover, the chickens will continue to reproduce in the wild, and their chicks will not be protected by the same vaccination given to the adult chickens. Through research studies and public engagement efforts, AVA aims to enhance its management of animal populations, including the free-roaming chickens. AVA will involve stakeholders like academics, wildlife experts, the community, and animal welfare groups in exploring various approaches and solutions to this problem.