The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos chapter, has charged farmers against using antibiotics in rearing birds.

Mojeed Iyiola, its chairman, said this in an interview on Friday in Lagos.

Mr Iyiola said poultry farmers must desist from using antibiotics on their birds to get local egg powder acceptable in international markets. He also commended the Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) in Lagos for setting up an egg powder production factory.

“We commend the Lagos APPEALS project for the successful set up of the egg powder production factory, which has helped to solve an age-long problem of the sector. APPEALS have helped reduce the annual incidences of egg glut in the state via its sponsorship of a formidable egg powder production factory in Ikorodu,” Mr Iyiola explained.

He added, “Before now, during seasons of egg glut, farmers bury over 2,000 eggs weekly and incur a lot of losses. However, we warn local farmers to desist from the use of antibiotics in grooming their birds to enable our egg powder to gain entry into the international markets.”

According to Mr Iyiola, local farmers have a role to play in the international acceptability of their egg powder to boost productivity and profitability.

He said, “To avoid residue antibiotics in our egg powder, we must desist from its usage in our farms, for human health and to increase our profitability in the sector. We want local egg powder to match up with international demand. And the only way we can do that is to avoid the use of antibiotics.”

(NAN)