Bird flu scare besides taking poultry life is also incurring huge financial losses. A huge loss of Rs 100 crore has been caused to poultry farmers in Kerala, badly hitting the over Rs 2500 crore poultry industry in the state. This was revealed by the All Kerala Poultry Farmers and Traders Association.

Millions of eggs were destroyed and nearly 3000 ducklings culled in Kollam as the fear about avian flu spread in the state. The prices of poultry fell from Rs 58 a kg to Rs 12 a kg, farmers, traders, lorry and small vehicle employees, engaged in the transportation of poultry products over a 1500-km distribution network, suddenly found out of job.

This has not made way for tax reduction by the Govt too. Industries Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, Fisheries Minister Dominic Presentation, Prof K V Thomas, MLA and District Collector A P M Mohammed Hannish will be among those participating.