Decision to Cull Free-ranging Chickens at Sungei Api Api

14 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked Minister for National Development (a) how many residents have complained about the free-ranging chickens at Sungei Api Api in the last year; (b) how many chickens have been culled at Sungei Api Api; and (c) whether AVA will consider vaccinating all free-ranging chickens against bird flu instead of culling them.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for National Development): Madam, following feedback from residents on the presence of significant numbers of free-roaming chickens in Sungei Api Api, AVA did a check and found that there were more than 100 chickens in the area. Hence, AVA had taken actions to remove some of the free-roaming chickens to better manage the bird flu risk. This was done at around the same time as the operations in the Sin Ming Avenue area. And although there is a recent news report that gave the impression this happened after my reply to the Parliamentary Question, this was not the case.

The vaccination of free-roaming chickens alone may not be an effective solution to manage the bird flu risk. There are many bird flu strains and the virus has been known to mutate. While bird flu vaccinations can provide some partial protection against certain strains, the vaccinated chickens can still be infected by other strains that are not covered by the vaccination, particularly since the free-roaming chickens are free to interact and make contact with other wildlife. Moreover, the chickens will continue to reproduce in the wild and their chicks will not be protected by the same vaccination given to the adult chicken. Through research studies and public engagement efforts, AVA aims to enhance its management of animal populations, including the free-roaming chickens. AVA will involve stakeholders like academics, wildlife experts, the community and animal welfare groups in exploring various approaches and solutions to this problem.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): Madam, I think the Minister of State did not reply to the first two parts of the question. How many people actually complained? How many chickens were culled? Thirdly, is AVA planning to engage the NCs in that area because I think they had some concerns? Fourth, whether any red junglefowls were culled. This time round, I have personally seen those chickens; there are red junglefowls there. Lastly, is AVA planning any further culling operations for chickens in any other areas?

Dr Koh Poh Koon: Madam, I thank the Member for his concern for the chickens but let me just put things in context. We are in an area where we are at risk of bird flu and I think Members will remember the news last month, 5 March, that there was a bird flu outbreak close to home in Kelantan affecting six districts and 30-over areas within that district. To date, the Malaysian authorities have released a report to say they have culled 56,953 chickens. This definitely has an economic impact from the Malaysian side.

Being so close to home, AVA takes a risk-based approach to mitigate the risk to our own country, to our own people. In reducing the number of chickens, AVA takes an assessment on the ground, not necessarily based on the number of complaints or feedback per se. But if the numbers are high enough for us to take pre-emptive action, regardless of any number of feedback, we will have to take action to reduce the risk.

We have to understand that this is not just about the chickens, it is also about public safety and human health. At the end of the day, AVA also has a responsibility towards the health and safety of Singaporeans.