Chen Jizhong, chairman of the Council of Agriculture.

(Photo by reporter Yang Yuanting)

[Reporter Yang Yuanting/Report from Taipei] The supply of domestic eggs is currently relatively tight. The Council of Agriculture has launched a special measure to import eggs until the end of the year. Chen Jizhong, chairman of the Council of Agriculture, said today (22nd) that more than 500 eggs will be imported from next week to the end of March. In April and May, more than 30 million eggs will arrive in Taiwan to meet the domestic demand for eggs; for the H5N1 bird flu epidemic spreading globally, he also said that on Friday he will invite scholars and experts to discuss whether to Vaccinate domestic chickens against avian influenza.

The Council of Agriculture went to the Economic Committee of the Legislative Yuan to report on its business. Before the meeting, the media asked about the latest egg supply situation. Chen Jizhong said that the Council of Agriculture will announce the latest egg production and sales information every Wednesday. It will increase further, and more than 31.5 million laying hens will be able to lay eggs. The weather in the south is also very good, and the south wind is starting to blow. As the temperature rises and the local government assists in the implementation of bird flu epidemic prevention, the epidemic has been brought under control. Production capacity will gradually increase.

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The H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic is spreading around the world. Chen Jizhong said in his report that experts will be invited this Friday to discuss whether chickens will be vaccinated against avian influenza, and the current epidemic prevention situation in the United States and Europe will be updated and adjusted dynamically.

As for imported eggs, Chen Jizhong said that more than 5 million eggs will be imported from next week to the end of March, and more than 30 million eggs will be imported in April and May to make up for the shortage of domestic eggs. Thanks to the food processing industry for allowing the COA to dispatch eggs, and also believes that the shortage of eggs will be greatly reduced.

The difference in imported eggs will be fully absorbed by the Council of Agriculture. In addition to supplying processors, shell eggs will also be supplied to mass sales channels after washing.

Chen Jizhong also pointed out that the demand for eggs has increased by 20% in recent years, but the number of poultry farms has not increased by 20%, and local governments will make it more difficult to apply for pasture registration due to self-government regulations. Therefore, it is necessary to let poultry farms The facility will be upgraded to improve the efficiency of egg production. In addition, the egg inventory will be increased. It is expected that the egg cold chain inventory will increase by 10% by the end of the year.