THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Team Herald
Panjim: Amidst the scare of bird flu in the country, which has spread its tentacles in at least ten states in India, Goa as a precautionary step has banned the “import” of poultry from neighbouring states, particularly Maharashtra and Karnataka.
According to the President of the All Goa Poultry Association, Jaikrishna Naik, about 1.2 lakh kilograms of chicken is consumed in Goa every day, which means that about 60-80,000 birds are imported from neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra on a daily basis.
“More than 95% of poultry comes to Goa from Belgaum and Sindhudurg district of Karnataka and Maharashtra, as Goa does not have its own production or poultry farm. The ban on import will certainly affect the market very badly and there will be shortage as Goa is a tourist State and about 60-65% of poultry meat is taken by various restaurants and hotels in the State,” said Naik.
On the other hand, Raj Maganlal, the Director of Magsons Delicatessen, while speaking to Herald, believed that there would not be any effect in the market as frozen chicken is available in plenty in the market. “The ban is on fresh live poultry but what about frozen branded chicken. It is safe and available in the market. In fact, the price of chicken has come down in the market because of the bird flu scare. However, the price of branded chicken remains the same. There is no panic situation. Also, poultry can also come from the States, which are not affected by bird flu. The footfalls in hotels are also less and the consumption of chicken has gone down drastically anyways,” said Maganlal.
The President of Goa Hotels and Restaurant Association, Gaurish Dhond, added that since Goa is a tourist destination, the consumption of whatever vegetables or meat or poultry is dependent on supplies from other States. “After eight to ten days that supplies will be over and the State will go dry in terms of availability of chicken as far as Goa is concerned. We are into 60% occupancy in hotels so demand would surely be there. Our government should take some immediate action with safety to restore supply,” said Dhond.
He further suggested that the poultry could be checked in batches at the border and then allowed entry to the State. “There can be a random check at all entry points of the state. Veterinary doctors can be engaged in this exercise for certification. We are told that if one bird is affected the entire lot gets affected. This can be found out,” Dhond added.
Partner in Temptation restaurant at Miramar, Tony Almeida, is of the view that there will be no shortage of chicken in the state. “People in Goa are not aware of bird flu. We use frozen broiler chicken, which is safe and is easily available in the market. We have alternatives and as we buy frozen chicken and keep it in a deep freezer to use it as per the requirement,” said Almeida.
