January 25, 2021

India poultry association says bird flu rumours affecting business

The Poultry Farmers and Breeders' Association (PFBA) said rumours about chicken and egg consumption being harmful during COVID-19 and the current bird flu outbreak have affected the domestic poultry and maize industries, the Times of India reported.

Uddhav Ahire, the secretary of PFBA, said the rumours are baseless as there is no scientific proof.

The PFBA said poultry farmers and the government must introduce campaigns to boost chicken consumption among the public.

Ahire said maize farmers have been forced to sell produce at INR 1,500 (~US$20.56; INR 10 = US$0.14) per 100 kg. Prices were INR 2,200 (~US$30.15) per 100 kg before the COVID-19 pandemic, but prices have dropped to as low as INR 1,200 (~US$16.45) per 100 kg as demand for poultry and egg products plummeted.

Baburao Narawade, deputy commissioner for animal husbandry in the Nashik, Maharashtra state said they have rolled out programmes and social media campaigns to raise awareness and dismiss chicken consumption fears.

- Times of India