MDM is a raw material used in upstream value addition specifically in Hungarian sausages. The meeting was officially opened by the Minister of fisheries and Livestock, Hon Michael Katambo who urged members present to find common position on the issue so as to guide the Ministry on the regulations needed for the importation of MDM.

Poultry Association of Zambia (PAOZ) reports that there was also an emphasis by the stakeholders on the need to protect the poultry industry from any outbreak of avian influenza by ensuring that strict biosecurity measures are undertaken and also restrict imports from countries affected by the avian influenza.

The meeting resolved that a consultant be engaged to undertaken a study which will aim at ascertaining the social and economic impact of MDM on the Zambian poultry industry, taking into account the various players in the value chain.

It was also resolved that import permits will only be issued to registered processors only and that this will be accompanied by the inspection of the sources of MDM, whose cost will be borne by the industry. This comes into effect 60 days from 13 October.

Various concerns were also raised on the status of backyard meat processing in Lusaka, which stakeholders indicated that needed urgent attention to avoid outbreak of diseases resulting food poisoning.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock issued a ministerial statement on the status of the avian influenza situation in parliament on Thursday, 12 October. In his statement he indicated that Zambia remains avian influenza free and that the government has continued with the ban on the importation of chicken and chicken products from countries affected with the avian influenza as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease into the country.