Poultry sector rules out coronavirus

Hyderabad: Coronavirus (Covid-19) is weighing on Indian poultry sector in a more negative way. Expressing concerns over the dropping sales across India, the poultry sector has ruled out any impact of virus on chicken and eggs, representatives of Telangana Poultry Federation (TPF), Telangana Breeders Association (TBA) and National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC), said here on Thursday. The three organizations along with All India Poultry Development and Services Pvt Ltd are organising 'Chicken and Egg Mela' here at People's Plaza at Necklace Road on Friday evening.

The organisers will serve several types of chicken and egg dishes at free of cost to the general public at the mela. The objective of the mela is to restore confidence into the consumers about poultry products as there's no harm in the wake of coronavirus. The apex bodies of over 25,000 poultry farmers expressed concerns as the ongoing negative social media reports would impact the poultry sector in the long run.

"In fact, chicken and eggs strengthen the immunity of the consumers. Indian government has already issued an official statement assuring the consumers that there wouldn't be any threat in eating chicken and eggs. GHMC and Maharashtra government also in separate statements encouraged the consumers to eat chicken and eggs," Ram Reddy of Broiler Co-ordination Committee, told the media here on Thursday. The TPF, TBA and NECC expressed concerns over the rumours on social media spreading fears among consumers about consuming chicken and eggs in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. The impact of ongoing outbreak of coronavirus on Indian poultry sector is huge and it already suffered thousands of crores as sales nosedived.

"The Indian government has already confirmed that consumption of chicken and eggs will never support the spread of coronavirus. There's no link between coronavirus outbreak and consumption of poultry products," said NECC.