Madhya Pradesh on Friday relaxed the ban that was imposed on transportation of poultry products, as no new cases of bird flu was reported, except in one district where poultry owners suffered heavy losses.
"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.
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--Edited IANS
