November 15, 2006

India to introduce new regulations for poultry industry
 

India's agriculture ministry has announced that it may introduce regulatory measures to control poultry diseases.

Plans for an awareness campaign for producers to adopt the measures are also in the works, according to Charusheela Sohoni, secretary of the department of animal husbandry and dairying, at the agriculture ministry.

Speaking at the 'National Conference on Challenges for the Indian Poultry Sector -- Post-Avian Influenza', Sohoni said that the government would strongly consider the industry's perspective in shaping its action plan and ensure the quality of poultry products and production chain.

Noting that importing countries have tightened up requirements in the aftermath of bird flu, Sohoni said that regulations on environmental impact, animal welfare, packaging, pesticide residues have to be taken into account in the current market.

The poultry industry also faces challenges on poultry availability, cost and quality of raw material, especially feed, the official said.

India is the fifth-largest producer of poultry meat in the world. The poultry industry has been growing steadily, producing 1.8 billion tonnes of meat and 42 billion eggs every year.