Shillong, Mar 28: A task force will be constituted to look into the issues of poultry farmers, including a prevailing concern over import of bird flu-infected poultry from outside the state.
“The government will constitute a task force (to look into the issues faced by the poultry farmers),” animal husbandry & veterinary minister AL Hek told reporters after meeting a delegation of Meghalaya Poultry Farmers and Welfare Association (MPFWA) here on Thursday.
“Whatever problems are faced by them, they should bring it to the notice of this task force,” he added.
On the poultry farmers’ concern over bird flu, Hek asserted there has been no recent incident of bird flu and the case MPFWA referred to happened in 2019-20 in Haryana.
“If it had happened recently…the department will not keep quiet, we will take action on such diseases from outside the state,” he stated.
Speaking to reporters, a MPFWA member William Diengdoh said they had expressed concern over entry of poultry from outside the state, especially areas declared infected by bird flu.
Quoting media reports, Diengdoh said one vehicle carrying poultry from Haryana was not allowed entry into the state recently.
The incident prompted the association to demand for a temporary ban on poultry coming from outside, he said.
On the task force proposed to be formed by the government including representatives of the association, he said it is expected to ensure checks as per the national action plan.
The association also underscored implementation of the standard operating procedure (SOP) in transportation of livestock.
