India's Assam state lifts egg and poultry sales ban partially

Assam on Sunday (Jan 11) lifted the ban on sales of poultry and poultry products but a partial suspension remains for safety purposes.

The ban has been lifted except in the western districts of Chirang and Baksa, and areas within a radius of 10km where culling operations took place, according to the Assam veterinary department.

Some 500,000 birds had been killed in about 150 villages in Assam.

Culling is still going on in some areas in Chirang and Baksa, and Assam is not officially declared as bird flu free yet, said veterinary commissioner Shyam Mewra.

Meanwhile, markets in Assam are selling chickens and eggs like hotcakes, with chickens selling at around Rs150 (US$3.08) per kg.

The demand for chickens and eggs has increased as sales had been banned for two months, said a poultry  seller.

The Poultry Farmers Association of Assam said they lost about Rs180 million (US$3.7 million) since the ban was imposed on November 17, 2008.

The Poultry Farmers Association of Assam said they incurred a loss of an estimated Rs.180 million since the ban was imposed Nov 17.