October 4, 2004

Thailand Says Poultry Import Bans Will Not Prevent Bird Flu In India

The Thai Government says it is unlikely that India will be able to escape the bird flu virus as it spreads its tentacles to other countries. The country also feels that banning imports is not the answer to it.

Thailand has called upon the Indian Government to set up systems to ensure the safety of Indian farmers, including maintaining hygienic conditions. Nothing, however, should be done which will harm the interest of the farmers.

"Don't think India will be spared. Virus cannot be stopped at borders, banning imports is not the answer," Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Chaturon Chaisang, said in a statement circulated by the US Grains Council in India.

Chaturon said steps will need to be taken by India to ensure that the farmers are aware of the need of bio-security to safe-guard themselves as well as others.

Proper disposal of dead birds, curtailing movement of people and vehicles inside/outside the farms, could be few steps that the farms can take, he added.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has partially lifted the ban on import of day old chicks, hatching eggs, processed chicken and poultry products and processed pork products.

The import of these products is allowed only from those countries which have no report of bird flu.