Avian Influenza
Madhya Pradesh relaxes ban on transporting poultry
By IANS
Apr 22, 2006 - 5:50:00 PM

With no fresh cases of bird flu being reported, Madhya Pradesh Friday relaxed a ban on transportation of poultry products except in one district in view of the losses suffered by poultry owners, officials said.

"The animal husbandry department commissioner has written to all district collectors and commissioners to lift the ban imposed on transportation of poultry a fortnight ago," an official said.

"The ban would however continue in Burhanpur district close to the Maharashtra and Gujarat borders where cases of avian influenza have tested positive," he added.

"The decision has been taken because only one sample out of 3,600 tested positive. This proves that bird flu is not spreading in Madhya Pradesh," another official said.

The National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), which claims the poultry industry suffered Rs.15 billion losses due to bird flu, has been pleading for lifting the ban.

"The future of the poultry industry is dark as most farmers are on the verge of bankruptcy. The escalating financial burden has driven two farmers in Andhra Pradesh to commit suicide," NECC vice-chairman Vishwanath Dubey claimed.

"Since Feb 19, when bird flu was first detected, families of several poultry farmers are facing a financial crunch," he said. In south India, poultry farmers disposed of their chickens by distributing it free among the poor.

Dubey said though the centre has extended some relaxations in loan procedures for poultry farmers, state governments should come forward to save the industry.

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