Eggs, chicken banned

January 17, 2009: Bhutan has banned the imports of eggs and chicken from India following the outbreak of bird flu, better known as Avian Influenza, in the West Bengal state.

The ban has been announced on Saturday afternoon after an emergency meeting of the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA).

“On Saturday, there was an emergency meeting between MoAF and MoH after which it was decided to impose the ban as a necessary precautionary measure,” circulation issued by Ministry of Agriculture reads.

This will compel the Bhutanese consumers to refrain form taking chicken and eggs on their meal.

A notice on the issue reads, “The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) would like to request cooperation from the public in continuing to prevent the disease from entering the country.”

BAFRA is also revoking all the permits issued till date for importing poultry and poultry products from West Bengal.

With the ban in place, there is also fear that the price of eggs and chicken from local poultry farms will fly through the ceiling as was the case in the past.