from Daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji. Mar 2: Feasting on the chicken tandoori and boiled eggs, Goa legislative assembly speaker Fransisco Sardinha and Industries minister Luizinho Faleiro – the Congress duo – on Thursday declared: it's safe to eat chicken.

Following news of bird flu, the chicken and eggs saw drastic drop in their sales across the state worrying the poultry farmers and chicken vendors. Their tribulations were added as Lent season began in Goa with Catholic brethren avoiding eating meat for next 40-days till Easter.

"Don't fear bird flu… it's not there in Goa.. eat chicken and eggs," declared the duo feasting at the tandoori chicken and boiled eggs during the media conference.

Adding glory to the conference, the poultry farmers had brought two persons decked as "chicken'' who were made to stand next to Faleiro and Sardinha.

The National Egg Coordination Committee secretary Fransic Valadaris said that the drastic drop in the sale of chicken and eggs is worrying the farmers. "There is 70 per cent drop in the sale of eggs and similar drop in chicken," he said.

The poultry farmers, in the morning had met animan husbandry officials, demanding that they should be compensated for the loses. "There was no firm assurance from the ministry though we are hopeful that something would be done," Valadares said.