The Hindu Business Line : Minister eats chicken, says it's safe

The curtains appear to have come down on the avian influenza outbreak issue with the Maharashtra Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Mr Anees Ahmed, eating tandoori chicken at a press conference in Mumbai.

"We want the media to give a positive message that it is safe to eat chicken and eggs,'' Mr Ahmed said.

The press conference organised by the Compound Live Stock Feed Manufacturers Association of India (CLFMA) was aimed at demonstrating the safety of chicken and eggs consumption.

The Indian method of cooking makes chicken and eggs very safe, the Minister and industry officials pointed out.

All under control

"Birdflu has been totally brought under control, especially in the Navapur area of Nandurbar district,'' Mr Ahmed said, adding that the Government is keen on bringing the poultry industry back on its feet.

The Government has asked neighbouring States of Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka to allow the passage of poultry vehicles from Maharashtra as the flu has been brought under control.

"Except the stamped area of Navapur, there is no restriction on the movement of eggs and chicken, poultry feed or feed raw material within and out of Maharashtra,'' Mr Ahmed said.

The Government is also urging Central Government authorities to restore the supply of poultry products on railways, airlines, military canteens and industrial canteens.

Till now, a total of 64,858 backyard poultry and 2,53,063 farm poultry birds have been culled, 14.47 lakh eggs have been destroyed and 1,09,040 kgs of feed has been destroyed.

`Prices may improve'

Poultry farm company Venkys India Ltd informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday that prices of chickens and eggs, which had dropped drastically following the outbreak of bird, are likely to improve gradually.

"With the consumption of chicken and eggs having started picking up, prices of the said products are likely to improve gradually,'' Venkys said.

The company said its performance for the quarter ending March 31, 2006, will be affected due to a steep fall in chicken and egg prices in various parts of the country. It didn't provide a specific forecast.

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