Bird flu: Poultry losses at Rs 1500 cr

Claiming losses to the tune of Rs 1500 crore (Rs 15 billion) to the poultry industry due to bird flu, National Egg Coordination Committee on Wednesday said the fear was so intense that people were unwilling to accept poultry products even for free.

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

"Since February 19, when bird flu was first detected, several families of poultry farmers are facing the brunt," he said adding, in south India, poultry farmers disposed off chicken by distributing it among the poor for free.

Seeking support from the media in spreading information that no human being was ever affected by bird flu in the country and consumption of well-cooked poultry products was completely safe, Dubey said though Centre has extended some relaxation in loan procedures for poultry farmers, state government should come forward to save the industry.

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