May 14, 2007

Bhutan to stop imports if bird flu in India confirmed

The deaths of 5,000 chickens at a poultry farm in West Bengal could cause India's chicken and egg imports to be banned if bird flu is confirmed, said livestock officials.

The area mainly supplies to Bhutan, a small nation bordering the state.

Veterinary authorities are examining chicken sample from the farm at the moment, Director of the Livestock Department in Bhutan, Tenzin Dhendup said.

The local government had claimed that the chickens died of overcrowding and heat stress.

One of the companies in the area is the sole supplier of dressed chickens to Bhutan and there are five Indian suppliers for eggs.

Bhutan temporarily banned poultry and related products in mid - February last year after a bird flu outbreak in India.