By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Orissa is not in favour of culling poultry in villages adjoining avian flu-hit West Bengal, said a senior official Sunday terming the central government directive on the matter as “unjustified”.
The central government Saturday asked the Orissa to cull poultry up to five km from its border with West Bengal.
“The problem is in West Bengal. It is unwise to look for solutions for avian influenza in Orissa. Rather the government of India should look into the happenings in West Bengal,” Bishnupada Sethi, director of the state fisheries and animal resource development department, told IANS.
Blood samples from thousands of poultry birds in the state over the past weeks have tested negative for bird flu. The state government has also prevented entry of poultry products from other states, he said.
“When there is no report of bird flu in the state, the move to slaughter healthy birds is totally unjustified,” said Sethi.
The state government will write to the central government asking it to re-consider its decision on Orissa, he said.
The All-Orissa Broiler Association has also opposed the move.