Assam Government to review ban on entry of poultry and pig

 Meghalaya and Nagaland take up issue with CM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government is going to review its decision to ban the entry of pigs and poultry to the state following a request from Meghalaya and Nagaland, both pig-consuming states. The two governments have taken up the matter with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Assam Government banned the entry of poultry and pigs to the state on March 6 this year, when avian influenza ravaged a few areas in Jharkhand and West Bengal. And the ban has been in force in the state since then, and the ban has badly affected Nagaland and Meghalaya as they are pig-consuming states. The poultry ban also affected other states in the region, including Assam. The price of chicken in the state has gone up since the ban. Each kg of broiler chicken is sold at Rs 320–240 in Guwahati, compared to Rs 200–220 per kg earlier. With this hike, the prices of local chicken have also gone up to over Rs 600 per kg without dressing.

Talking to The Sentinel, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora said, “We were left with no option but to ban the entry of poultry and pigs to the state when avian fever ravaged Jharkhand and West Bengal. The ban led to the scarcity of pigs in Meghalaya and Nagaland, as their demand is high. The two state governments have taken up the matter with our chief minister to review the ban. Following that, our Chief Minister advised us on the issue. It has come to our attention that the impact of avian influenza has relented much in Jharkhand and West Bengal now. We are examining the matter.”

Bora said, “The ban on the entry of chicks along with that of poultry has also affected our local farmers and traders. We will take the decision at the right time.”

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