Date:23/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/23/stories/2006022301901900.htm

Back Allow poultry vehicles, AP tells neighbours

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Feb. 22

THE Andhra Pradesh Government has appealed to neighbouring States to allow poultry vehicles from the State to enter those States.

Reiterating that there is no bird flu in the State, the Government has decided to write letters to the Governments of Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in this regard. Reports reaching here said some States had barred vehicles carrying chicken and eggs from Andhra Pradesh from entering those States.

Dr L. Mohan, Director of Animal Husbandry and Convener of the high-level Task Force set up by the Government to tackle the `bird flu' problem, told Business Line that the State was "absolutely safe" and there was no cause for concern.

"We have reviewed the situation today. Our staff have been visiting farms and collecting samples," he said.

He also clarified that the virus could not stand temperatures beyond 32 degrees Celsius for three hours. "We cook chicken at temperatures in the range of 70-95 degrees Celsius. So, it is absolutely safe," he pointed out.

In order to dispel fears, the stakeholders have decided to organise melas to spread the word that it was no risk eating chicken and eggs.

Meanwhile, Mr K. Narayana Reddy, President of AP Poultry Federation, said sales had picked up on Wednesday.