More than 50,000 duck and chicken eggs were seized on 14 December. In addition, the authorities seized more than 40,000 eggs in November, reports The Nation.

"We are afraid of bird flu spreading through these smuggled eggs. The breeders in Thanphyuzayat faced loses as chickens from all poultry farms were culled after the last bird flu outbreak. It is very difficult for a breeder to re-establish a poultry farm after the collapse.

"A farm of 500 chickens requires three million kyat of initial investment," said Mr Nyo, a local breeder from Mawlamyine.

"Chicken eggs from Thailand costs Ks 50 in Mawlamyine. Local eggs cannot compete with those of Thailand, as the original cost of a local egg is 80 kyat. The local poultry industry may face collapse in the long-run," he said.

"According to a tip-off, a mobile team seized one of nine trucks destined for Myawaddy, laden with duck and chicken eggs.

"It was loaded with more than 100,000 duck eggs. The smuggling of duck eggs has caused tax losses for the country. In addition, people may catch diseases due to the consumption of those eggs.

"Severe actions must be taken against smugglers," said a member of the Mon State Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Federation.

According to The Nation, there are more than 500,000 chickens in poultry farms in Mawlamyine Township. This number can match the market demand, as the poultry farms export 400,000 chicken eggs to market every day, according to the Mon State Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Federation.