Media Release

Bengaluru, Mar 28: The Government of Karnataka on Friday night lifted the restrictions on the movement of chicken and eggs, thus ensuring availability of protein-based nutrition to the consumers.

Due to the 21-day lockdown in the state, police and other regulatory authorities did not allow movement of poultry produce, which not only had affected the entire poultry sector, but also the consumers. The Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association (KPFBA) made a representation to the government to lift the restrictions.

The secretary of Animal Husbandries and Fisheries, A B Ibrahim in a circular dated March 27 said that the animal husbandry sector came under essential services and is given exemption during the lockdown period. He cited the letter which provides for the exemption, issued by the Government of India Home Secretary and the Union Joint Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Circular sent to police, civic and other bodies

A circular has been sent to all the City Police Commissioners in Karnataka, the Commissioner of BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), all Deputy Commissioners, all Superintendents of Police, all CEOs of zilla panchayats, Commissioner of Animal Husbandry and all others concerned. They have been asked to sensitize the local enforcement authorities.

There were severe complaints of restrictions placed on the movement of live birds, meat, fish, manufactured feed, feed/cattle feed, feed ingredients and farm inputs, hatching and table eggs by road within the state or at inter-state borders, thus inconveniencing farmers, manufacturers and traders of poultry produce. The KPFBA and the trade made a representation to the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Services on March 26 who in turn approached the Government Secretariat for further action.

Production and sale of animal husbandry produce allowed

As per the circular, the government has permitted production of chicken birds, sheep, goat, pig etc in the farms; transportation of live chicken birds, day old chicks, sheep, goat, fish, pig and meat; hatching and table eggs, manufactured feed, feed ingredients/inputs; liquid nitrogen meant for veterinary use, semen straws etc; and any other such items related to Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sector.

The KPFBA president, Dr Sushanth Rai while thanking the state government for the initiative, said this would help the poultry sector which is facing a major crisis. Chicken and eggs are the cheapest sources of protein which help develop immunity which is the need of the hour in the fight against Covid-19.

For more details contact:

Inayath Ulla Khan on 9886730997/ikhan@poultrykarnataka.net