MP poultry bodies ask for bird flu relief

The Madhya Pradesh Poultry Farmers Association, in association with the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), today said the losses to the poultry industry because of the bird flu outbreak, reached Rs 1,500 crore since February 19. Losses in Madhya Pradesh have reached Rs 50 crore.

Both the associations have launched a campaign against the bird flu hype and said they will reach every corner of the country to disseminate facts about the bird flu to protect the Rs 40,000 crore industry.

A delegation from both the organisations today called on MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and asked for a compensation package.

Coming down heavily on the government and the media for creating panic among consumers, Vishvanath Dubey, vice-chairman of the NECC, said, "Not even a single case of bird flu death has been reported in the country. But two poultry owners have committed suicide so far. There is no taker for our birds or eggs in the southern part, even gratis. The industry is incurring a loss of Rs 18 per kg on chicken and 65 paise on egg."

Dubey also claimed that there were rare chances of Avian Influenza virus H5N1 can  transform into human being. "The bird flu is prevalent in India for the last nine years and poultry industry is taking all bio-safety measures. The problem comes from unorganized sector or backyard poultry," he said adding, "but we do not oppose the culling or preventative measures since bird flu can create problems after a long period. This apprehension has been publicized in a panic way."

However he remain tight-lipped when asked what are the alternate options to prevent bird flu or how an industry is more important than human life?

The local chairman of NECC said, "The government must allow vaccination of birds. It has already been done in Italy and France.  We cannot put a poultry population of 20 crore at risk," Chandar Sachdeva, local chairman NECC told BS.

According to association Madhya Pradesh 30 lakh layers production per year and 20 lakh months chicken per month. A senior government officials said, "The chief minister has assured the associations to assist in preventive work. The government would extend all possible support." Madhya Pradesh has recently reported cases of Bird Flu in Burhanpur district. As many as 7000 birds have been culled and reportedly compensation of Rs 30 per bird has been distributed to owners.