Mangaluru: The Government of Karnataka has lifted the restrictions on the transportation of poultry and poultry products, which was imposed due to the 21-day lockdown in the State.
The police and other regulatory authorities were not allowing 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) had made a representation to the government to lift the restrictions.
Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries A.B.Ibrahim, in a circular dated March 27, 2020, said 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.
The 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.
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.
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.
