‘Govt should compensate chicken farmers’

“Governments have to realise if there is no incentive you may find there will be movement of birds that are not so wholesome into the food chain. It is important to recognise and put in place measures that would be coupled with adequate surveillance.”

Singh made the remarks while responding to a question at the regional meeting on animal disease surveillance preparedness at Ambassador Hotel. The forum focused on avian influenza.

He said a public policy should consider the small, private entrepreneurs affected by bird flu who would be incapable of restocking and refinancing “to the full extent.” He said they would need assistance.

Singh said a collaboration between the private sector and the Government may be necessary.

Responding to another question, Singh said in a situation of outbreak import prices would increase. He said import prices are currently high and would increase further. “People are going to shift to other meats so if they shift to beef we are a region highly dependent on imported sources of beef and already beef prices have been on the increase starting with the outbreak (of AI) in Southeast Asia.”