Indian States need to implement relief packages for poultry farmers

He said that the Government would have no hesitation in making improvements in the package in case of any practical difficulties.


Addressing a conference of State Secretaries and Directors of Animal Husbandry on Avian Influenza, the Minister said that although the poultry industry had suffered heavily because of the outbreak of bird flu this year, India would be in a position to declare the country free from this disease very soon. The State Governments should extend all possible help to poultry farmers to tide over their distress and implement the relief packages effectively, he said.


Shri Pawar pointed out the need for taking necessary steps for containing outbreak of any poultry disease in future. The State Governments should promptly bring to the notice of central government any complex disease situation and should act as per the action plan provided by the central government to ensure that adverse impact to poultry industry is minimized. Effective awareness campaigning should also be taken up to remove any misgivings in the minds of the people.


India remained free from avian influenza till mid-February 2006. Avian Influenza has been circulating for centuries with four known outbreaks recorded in the last century itself. The present wave of Avian Influenza commenced in Hongkong in 1997. The first outbreak in India occurred in 2006 and was notified on February 18, 2006.


In response, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Government of India (DADF) had prepared an action plan. The draft plan was discussed in a meeting held with the State Secretaries of Animal Husbandry under the chairpersonship of Secretary DADF in New Delhi on October 26, 2005 and thereafter circulated to the states.