Tamil Nadu to set up sterile poultry zone

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has been badly affected by the ban on poultry imports due to bird flu and plans to set up a sterile poultry zone, free from the avian virus to resume exports of poultry products from the state.

Though no cases of avian virus have been reported, Tamil Nadu’s poultry exports were badly hit by the ban after outbreak of the virus in West Bengal.

Replying to a debate on demands for grants pertaining to her ministry, state animal husbandry minister P Geethajeevan said the zone would fulfil regulations of the World Trade Organisation and International Organisation for protecting animals from diseases.

She said the state was maintaining a strict vigil to see bird flu did not occur there.

Dairy development minister U Mathivanan, replying to a debate on the demands of grants for his department, said the state would launch a scheme to increase income of milk producers, under which 10,000 cross-bred milch animals would be supplied to rural women self-help groups.

The scheme would be named after DMK founder, the late CN Annadurai, whose birth centenary falls this year, he added.