The Hindu Business Line : Govt move to protect poultry livestock health

The Government may introduce regulatory measures to oversee the health of poultry livestock in order to prevent the spread of infections such as avian influenza, and launch an intensive awareness campaign among producers to adopt these measures, said Ms Charusheela Sohoni, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture.

The Government will strongly consider the industry's perspective in shaping its plan of action in introducing the regulatory measures that will ensure the quality of poultry products and the production chain, Ms Sohoni said, while speaking at the `National Conference on Challenges for the Indian Poultry Sector Post-Avian Influenza', organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"Each importing country has its own requirements that have become more stringent after the outbreak of avian influenza with regard to environmental, animal welfare, packaging and pesticide residues," she said.

Thrust on R&D

Ms Sohoni said that R&D needs an appropriate thrust to give a boost to the industry. "In the post-WTO era, there are new challenges and opportunities for scientists that require the expansion of research avenues. These should address disease, quality control, feed utilisation and processing," she added.

Meanwhile, Mr C.K. Vaidya, Chairman, CII, National Committee on Dairy, Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries, said that other measures needed to enhance the opportunities of the poultry industry in the global market includes good quality fields, strong human capital, huge investments, change in policies and a highly developed market along with a reduction in taxes.

Steady growth

"India is the fifth largest producer of poultry meat in the world.

The poultry industry has been growing steadily, producing 1,800 million kg of meat and 42 billion eggs every year.

It provides employment to 3 million people. The broiler sector has clocked an average growth of 10 per cent per annum, while the egg sector has grown at 5 per cent per annum.

The poultry industry has a turnover of Rs 9,000 crore and the egg industry, a turnover of Rs 6,200 crore," he said.