Sikkim govt bans import of poultry products

Gangtok, Jan 19 (UNI) The Sikkim government has banned the import of chicken and poultry products from outside the state following the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in West Bengal.

The official ban came into effect from yesterday and will continue until the situation improves, a state AnimalHusbandry department official said.

The border checkposts in Rangpo and Melli have been notified about the ban, he added.

Although, there have been no reports of chicken deaths so far in any existing poultry farms in the state, the department is taking precautionary measures, he said.

The state depends primarily on the neigbouring Siliguri in West Bengal for its poultry imports and the ban has drawn flak from the stakeholders of both the states.

UNI BG PP KLC1446