BENGALURU: The department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service will soon make Avian influenza testing mandatory for poultry farms to get their annual renewal.
Animal Husbandry Minister A Manju said annual medical certificate will be a must, failing which all the government facilities will be stopped.
Following death of birds due to avian influenza in Mysuru, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services officials have been directed to conduct medical test on all the poultry farms within 10 kms radius. Officials are already on the job.
Transportation of poultry animals from one district to other and one State to other has been also stopped as a precautionary measure.
A senior official from Department said, in 2012, over 40,000 birds, including chicken, ducks and turkeys were culled in Bengaluru.“In India, culling policy is the best proven method to prevent from spreading the
virus,” official said.
Speaking to Express, Minister Manju said they are planning to make the annual medical test for Avian Influenza mandatory for the poultry farmers.
“It will be good for them. They will have to display medical certificate. If they fail to do so, we will stop government grants and other facilities to them,” he said.
Dr H Nagabushana, General Secretary, Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association said farmers are now informing the officials if they find any abnormal behaviour in poultry. “Annual testing, however, might not be of help much. Avian influenza can attack even after getting a medical certificate,” he said.