MALAYSIAN MAN IN COURT OVER NEWCASTLE DISEASE

Green Parrot. Getty Images

A Malaysian man, working at a timber company in Vanimo, West Sepik, has been charged under the Animal and Disease and Control Act, for keeping a green parrot, since June 23.

Sebelie Ngilai, 41, from Sarawak in Malaysia, has appeared in court several times, Friday being the latest, where his case was adjourned to the 10th of this month.

Police arrested and charged Ngilai, after parts of Vanimo Urban and Bewani/Wutung/Onei Local Level Government areas, were declared disease zones, by Agriculture and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscoll in April this year, following the Newcastle disease outbreak.

A mass killing of chickens and other bird species, like ducks, parrots and cassowaries, was done in June, followed by a mop up exercise, which is still underway.

National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority as well as Agriculture and Livestock Department officials, cannot move onto the re-stocking exercise, following concerns over people in the affected areas, hiding some bird species.

The re-stocking exercise involves bringing in new chickens to the affected zone, to test if the Newcastle Disease has gone.