Poultry Association of Zambia advises LCC on residential poultry rearing

The Poultry Association of Zambia Executive   has urged the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to revisit the law that is concerned with the rearing of chickens in residential areas.

Association Director, Matthews Ngosa, said the local authority should not rush with its decision to ban chicken rearing but instead find out and analyze why the statutory instrument has not been acted upon all this while.

Mr Ngosa advised the council to clearly study the situation and find alternatives to the situation before rushing to advise the public to stop rearing chickens in residential areas.

Speaking in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today Mr Ngosa said his association appreciates the laws but these laws are meant for people and the current situation in Zambia is that the government is trying to create employment and fight poverty.

He said   if people stop rearing chickens in residential areas their lives will be devastated.

Yesterday the Lusaka City Council advised residents in the city to stop rearing chickens in residential areas as it is contrary to the Public Health Act Cap 295 Section 67 of the laws of Zambia.

LCC Public Relations Manager, Habeenzu Mulunda, said the local authority had noticed the growing concern of the emerging trend of keeping poultry in residential environments by some residents which has turned out to be unhealthy to the community due to the offensive odours and flies emanating from the untidy poultry yards.

Mr Mulunda advised residents to comply with the laws, failure to which the council would have no alternative but to commence legal proceedings against the offenders.