A BAN on the sales of live poultry is scheduled to take effect in Futian, Luohu, Yantian and Nanshan districts today.

    Live poultry sellers in wet markets have been encouraged by the city government to switch to the sales of iced fresh-slaughtered poultry and will receive subsidies to renovate their booths.

    Three government-sanctioned slaughterhouses will supply iced, fresh-slaughtered poultry to sellers in the four districts, according to yesterday’s Southern Metropolis Daily.

    Besides centralized slaughtering, products will go through refrigerated delivery to ensure freshness.

    Futian District is the first district in the city to implement the ban on a pilot basis July 1 last year, but live poultry was still found to be sold in some wet markets Monday, the paper said.

    Live poultry was sold in a wet market in Buwei Urban Village in Futian District.

    “We know about the ban, but nobody shows up to stop us from selling live chickens. Our business is good,” said an unidentified vendor in the market. He added that scores of live chickens were sold every day.

    Most of the poultry booths in Futian have been renovated to sell iced fresh-slaughtered poultry, the paper said.

    In addition, many vendors said they will wait and see the effect of the ban before deciding whether to start selling iced fresh-slaughtered poultry or switch to other businesses.

    A vendor at Hehua Wet Market in Luohu said he started selling iced fresh-slaughtered poultry long before the ban. He plans to renovate the booth after the ban.

    “The ban will surely have a negative effect on our business. I will just wait and see,” said the vendor.

    Starting July 1 this year, sales of live poultry will only be allowed in designated areas in the districts and new areas that are not subject to the sale ban, the paper said.

    Local governments will plan and designate the restricted areas before July 1. (Martin Li)