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Bird flu in Kerala: Lanka on alert
With the outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza in the southern Indian state of Kerala, the Sri Lanka Navy and veterinary surgeons in coastal areas have been placed on alert to prevent Indian poultry products from being smuggled into the country . Animal Production and Health Department Director Dr. A. Sivasothy expressed concern that as prices and demand for poultry products in Kerala had dropped due to bird flu, the spillover products might be smuggled into Sri Lanka on fishing boats.
The bird flu outbreak in India and several other countries has prompted Sri Lanka to ban poultry imports or poultry feed from such countries. Several consignments of live poultry, including chicks, from Europe have been cancelled as a preventive measure. “Our biggest worry is the effect a possible outbreak may have on our exports. After discussions, we were able to resume poultry exports to the United Arab Emirates. We import processed poultry products from India and Bangladesh. We are the only country which has maintained an Avian Influenza free status. This is a huge export advantage and we don’t want to lose it,” Dr. Sivasothy said.
He said Sri Lanka was self-sufficient in poultry products and all measures were being taken to ensure that the market was not jeopardized.At present, Sri Lanka has more than 80,000 poultry farmers. In 2012 the department was forced to cull 17,000 birds following the detection of a bird flu case in in Bingiriya. “If we detect any case again we will demarcate a 3km radius and cull all poultry in the area. This way we will be able to contain any infection,” Dr. Sivasothy said.
Kerala has had to start culling thousands of chickens and ducks in response to the flu outbreak last week. Indian media reports said consumption of poultry had slowed down over the past few days forcing sellers to reduce the prices of poultry products.
Livestock Ministry Secretary of H.L. Tissera said they were confident of meeting the local demand for poultry products during the Christmas season as there was sufficient local supply.