November 14, 2005

Nepal's poultry industry already hurt by bird flu fears

The bird flu has not reached Nepal, but already fears of the disease have hurt the domestic poultry industry, the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association (NHAS) president Gun Chandra Bista said Nov 11.

Bista estimated that the industry is losing about 5 million Nepali rupees (US$71,428) each day, as prices have plunged and chicken consumption dropped.

Nepal has imposed a ban on poultry imports and products in a move that is hoped to prevent bird flu from entering the country.

About 16 billion Nepali rupees (US$228.57 million) have been invested in poultry industry while about 150,000 kilograms of chicken meat are produced every day in the country, according to NHAS.