Import of poultry banned in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8

The government has declared the entire state a “controlled area” in view of the outbreak of avian influenza affecting birds, including poultry in the neighbouring states.

In another major decision, the government imposed a complete ban on the import of live birds, including poultry, and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into the state with immediate effect till January15. The decision will be reviewed on the basis of the situation.

In a press communiqué here today, VK Janjua, additional chief secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, said both the decisions were taken in consultation with Animal Husbandry Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa to prevent and control the spread of avian influenza, a scheduled disease in the state. He said the decisions had been taken to control scheduled diseases under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.