By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 27: The state government has decided to constitute a task force to address concerns over the entry of poultry into Meghalaya.
This was announced by Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister, AL Hek, on Thursday after meeting a delegation from the Meghalaya Poultry Farmers and Welfare Association (MPFWA).
During the meeting, the association had expressed concerns about poultry imports from certain states declared infected with bird flu. It also demanded a temporary ban on poultry imports from infected states.
Addressing concerns about infected poultry entering Meghalaya, Hek clarified that there have been no recent cases of bird flu.
He stated that the case being referred to occurred in Haryana during 2019-2020 and not recently.
“If it had happened recently, it would’ve come to the notice of the government, and the department wouldn’t have kept quiet. We would take immediate action against such matters,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the department has suggested that the task force include a representative from the association.
Earlier, association member, William Diengdoh, had informed that a vehicle transporting poultry from Haryana and Punjab was detected.