Lanka not hit by ban on Indian poultry products

The temporary ban on poultry products from India will not have any effect on Sri Lanka's poultry industry as we do not import any chicken from any part of the world, said chairman, All Island Poultry Association Dr D.D. Wanasinghe.

He said this decision was taken as a precautionary measure by the Ministry of Livestock Development following reports of a bird flu outbreak in Manipur on July 29.

Dr Wanasinghe said that Sri Lanka only imports the day-old parent stock from France, Netherlands and India but as soon as we get to know that there is a spread of Avian flu in any of the countries we import the parent stock from we will ban imports as a precautionary measure.

Dr Wanasinghe assured that the ban will not have any effect on Sri Lanka's market. Importers of the parent stock from India have two options either to import the parent stock from another country or hold on without replacing the parent stock until the ban is lifted.

He said that usually the parent stock in a poultry farm is replaced once in four months or when the laying period is not economical. Dr Wanasinghe said that poultry prices are coming down at present and have seen a 5% reduction though it was between Rs 250-260 per kilo during the festive season.

The supermarkets and branded products are maintaining the same price while other shops have reduced their prices by 5%.

He said that the restrictions will hold until India gets clearance from the International Animal Health Organisation (IAHO). The Department of Animal Production and Health decided to stop issuing permits for future imports from July 29 to prevent contaminated products from reaching the country.

(SG)