(Ecofin Agency) - In Cape Verde, the government foresees suspending imports of poultry meat and pork within the next two years. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the archipelago, livestock production has experienced very positive development in the country, thanks the efforts of the public authorities and the private sector.

However, Eva Ortet has not overlooked the obstacles which hinder Cape Verde's march towards its objective. She insisted particularly on the necessity for the archipelago to equip itself with a processing plant for poultry and other animals in order to better utilise all the other by-products.

The Minister has also emphasised the levers on which the livestock sector can rely to improve its performance. “Corn imports from Paraguay, produced at a lower cost than local production could result in a reduction in poultry feed costs and benefit poultry farmers”, she declared to Inforpress Agency.

It is important to note that Cape Verde is displaying its ambition in an extremely delicate period for West African poultry. Indeed, the sector is presently experiencing an epidemic of bird flu which could, if it affects the archipelago, annihilate these great expectations.