Poultry Clampdown in Phuentsholing

Poultry Clamdown in Phuentsholing BHUTAN - 12,000 eggs and dressed chicken have been seized and destroyed in Phuentsholing since the ban on poultry products from India was imposed earlier this year.

All the seizures were done at the Phuentsholing border gate, which is a main entry point for trade with India. Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) officials also imposed fines totalling Nu 30,000.

According to Kuensel Online, BAFRA has also resumed spraying all vehicles entering Phuentsholing town with disinfectants from March 29 with further reports of the bird flu having resurfaced in certain areas of the neighbouring district of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, India. Individuals walking through the gate are directed to walk through a metal tray filled with a solution of water and potassium permanganate.

Phuentsholing hoteliers and business personnel dealing with poultry products have been briefed on the risk of importing poultry products from across the border, which are sold at low prices. BAFRA officials said that they were trained to recognise bird flu symptoms like haemorrhage in feet and puffed eyes. Infected birds tend to cuddle in a corner, give up eating feed and die in large numbers.

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