January 17, 2008

No export ban in India despite bird flu
 

Despite reports of bird flu outbreaks on Tuesday (January 15, 2008), India has not received any advisory from the World Organisation of Animal Health to ban poultry exports, Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday (January 16, 2008).

The Union Government has informed France-based World Organisation of Animal Health about the outbreak on Tuesday (January 15, 2008) and they are still waiting for the response.

Trade and movement of poultry from West Bengal has already been restricted by the Union government as a precautionary measure.

According to government data, India's exported poultry products were worth Rs 167 crore (US$42.5 million).