Poultry industry not neglected

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The Department of Animal Production and Health has taken steps to develop the poultry industry and increase production said Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Peradeniya, Dr. Nimal Chandrasiri.

"The Department has launched an islanwide disease surveillance program to protect livestock and prevent the spread of bird flu and other contagious diseases", he said.

The All-Island Poultry Association said that the poultry industry has not got sufficient attention to solve some of the recurring problems of the industry.

Chairman All-Island Poultry Association, Dr. D. Wanasinghe said that the poultry industry makes a vital contribution to the country but has not received proper attention as given to other livestock industries.

"The import of chicken has an adverse effect on small scale poultry farmers who are unable to store stocks due to lack of proper storage facilities", he said.

The Poultry Association has requested policy makers to reduce the local tax on a kilo of chicken which is a burden to poultry farmers.

Dr. Chandrasiri said the import of chicken has helped provide adequate stocks to the market and stabilise the price of chicken.

"The need to import chicken arose due to shortage of stock during the festive season", he said.

The government imported eggs and chicken from India to avert a shortage of stock and stabilise the price during the festive season.

"The Department of Animal Production and Health has done a lot to protect and develop the poultry industry. Steps have been taken to improve hatcheries, health of birds and permit the import of parent stock", Dr. Chandrasiri said.

"There is no threat of the spread of the bird flu as regular surveillance is carried out to check the outbreak of any disease in the country. The import of chicken from bird flu affected countries is banned", the Director General said.

The spread of bird flu has been controlled to a great extent in countries through surveillance and regular health checks. Large stocks of birds were culled in the flu hit countries to stop the spread of the disease that resulted in huge loss to livestock.