Meghalaya government clarifies ban on import of poultry and poultry products

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SHILLONG

The Government of Meghalaya, on Wednesday, informed that the state has not banned the import of poultry products from the different Northeastern states, including Assam.

“We are still allowing import of poultry live birds or poultry products from the various Northeastern States since there are no cases of Avian Influenza (bird flu) reported in the whole region so far,” Principal Secretary in-charge Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, G.H.P. Raju informed.

He further said that the State Government has only banned the entry of poultry, live birds, unprocessed meat and eggs from the mainland.

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Since the Assam Government has already put restrictions on poultry products coming through the Serampore check gate, the Meghalaya government has also put in place preventive measures.

However, the department also mentioned that this is only a temporary preventive measure to contain the spread.

“We have instituted 136 rapid response teams of the department to be on high alert if there are reports of any unusual deaths of poultry in the State,” Raju said.

The district administration has been instructed to create awareness among the poultry farmers about the signs and symptoms of Avian influenza.

Roughly 1.5 million eggs enter Meghalaya every day during the peak season, while 1.5 lakh live birds are imported every day during the peak period.

(Edited by Shankar Turha)