'No H5N1 virus exists in Sindh'

Poultry farming is an important sub-sector of livestock has suffered over Rs 20 million loss in a week due to price reduction and low consumption of meat as bird flu fear has taken the province.
The General Secretary, Mehran Poultry Association (MPA), Imtiaz Shaikh, claimed in a press conference at the Ghotki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday that the bird flu virus did not exist in the Province or Country and advised people to use poultry meat and eggs without fear.
He said all possible protective measures including vaccination and disinfection of farms, had been adopted by the association adding that false panic and fear among the people is affecting the industry.
Further, Shaikh maintained, " we have crossed the migratory season of the birds therefore, there is no possibility of bird flu during this period of the season", regretted that more than 1000 poultry farms in the province had been destroyed.
Moreover, he said we are following the same procedures that are carried by any country of the world and samples sent to the laboratory did not confirm the existence of H5N1 therefore poultry farm were free from the virus.
He also said that poultry industry had made considerable contribution to the food production, was playing a key role in country's economy. The MPA representative urged the government to take reasonable steps during the crisis do as to save the poultry industry, the farmers and its allied sectors. Bird flu fear has given a rise to the consumption of mutton, beef, and fish, vegetables and cereals due to which prices of these commodities too had gone up. Further, Shaikh said poultry production is an integral part of agro-economy works for the food security of the country.
In Pakistan, he said, annual poultry meat consumption per person is 7kg against 25kg in developed countries. Similarly, an average Pakistani consumes 60 to 65 eggs per annum against 225 to 250 eggs in developed countries.
He demanded that the government should provide soft loans to the poultry industry at 50 per cent mark-up enabling the farmers to improve management and farm conditions. Furthermore, Shaikh urged the government to launch a media campaign, advising people to restart consumption of poultry meat and eggs since bird flu did not exist in the areas.
Poultry industry in Pakistan produces 27 per cent of the total meat. According to statistics available on the Pakistan Poultry Association Website, the industry employs 0.03 million people, produces and supplies 4,500 million eggs and about 450,000 metric tons of poultry meat.