GOVERNMENT yesterday said it had banned, with immediate effect, the selling of quail birds and eggs, saying only licenced traders would be allowed to sell the birds.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Addressing journalists in the capital, Environment, Water and Climate minister Oppah Muchinguri said those who had already domesticated the quails could continue to keep them for their own consumption, but would not be allowed to sell them.
Quail birds have become an instant hit with many people now venturing into the business amid speculative reports that the bird’s meat and eggs have some medicinal qualities.
“Those crooks are selling a bird at a high price of $6 lying to our people that it will cure their diseases. That is false and people should not be fleeced,” Muchinguri said.
She said government would soon draft a policy framework to control trading and prices of both the bird and eggs. —
