Sikkim government decides to lift ban on poultry trade
Posted by barunroy on July 12, 2008
FROM THE STATESMAN
GANGTOK, July 11: The Sikkim government has decided to lift the state’s ban on the import and trade of poultry, which was imposed six months ago, following an outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal. The initiative to lift the ban comes after the poultry dealers, today, sought the state government’s stand on the matter.
The dealers and the public have agreed with the government’s decision to lift the ban since no fresh report of bird flu was reported from West Bengal, lately. “Our business had been adversely affected, this year, especially when the ban came into play in the middle of the tourist season,” regretted a chicken dealer from the local Lall Market. To sustain their business for the time being, chicken dealers have started dealing in poultry, brought from various parts of the state.
“The price of chicken has shot up due to the ban and it is the common man who has to dole the extra money,” said a customer.
According to people in the hotel business, last season, there was no chicken on the menu. “It was really difficult for us to run the hotel business only with mutton and fish,” said Mr Mukul Dey, a hotel spokesperson based in Gangtok.
Mr KC Bhutia, additional director, state animal husbandry department said: “The state government was planning to lift the ban this month. But we first want to ensure that there is no risk if the ban on consumption of chicken is lifted.”
