Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 2/9/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** IN4010

IN4010

**India**

**Poultry and Products**

**India Bans Poultry and Poultry Product Imports**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Chad R. Russell

U.S. Embassy, FASNEWDELHI

**Prepared by:**

V. Shunmugam

**Report Highlights:**

Reacting overcautiously to address concerns over the spread of Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in SE Asian countries, the Government
of India banned imports of poultry and poultry products from all
countries.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

New Delhi \[IN1\]

\[IN\]

**India bans poultry and products imports from all countries....**

Effective February 3, 2004, the Government of India (GOI) banned imports
of the following products from all countries:

1)  Domestic and wild birds, including captive birds

2)  Day old chicks, ducks, turkey and other newly hatched avian species

3)  Hatching eggs

4)  Eggs and egg products

5)  Semen of domestic and wild birds

6)  Meat and meat products from avian species, including wild birds

7)  Feathers

8)  Products of avian origin intended for use in animal feeding or for
    agricultural or industrial uses (including pet food containing
    poultry by-product meal)

9)  Live pigs and pig meat products

10) Pathological material and biological products from birds

The ban will be effective for a period of six months from the date of
publication (February 3, 2004) of the notification, or until such time
it is modified or withdrawn, whichever is earlier. This notification can
be downloaded from the official website of the Department of Animal
Husbandry and Dairying at: <http://dahd.nic.in/bf5.htm>

The addition of pigs and pig meat products to the list of banned
products can be traced to media reports
([http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200402/06/eng20040206_134137.shtml](http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ 200402/06/eng20040206 _134137.shtml))
out of Vietnam about pigs infected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(HPAI) causing virus -- H5N1 and a suspicion that the virus could be
transmitted to the humans through some other mammals such as pigs. The
pig products ban seems to contradict published OIE guidelines
(<http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/MCode/A_00043.htm>).

**... And plans additional preventive measures**

In response to the reports of HPAI occurring in Karachi, Pakistan, close
to the Indian border, the GOI announced several measures. These include
conducting an awareness campaign for poultry breeders regarding various
poultry diseases, and implementing more effective monitoring and
surveillance of diseases in the industry. The GOI also released updated
guidelines for prevention of HPAI and requested active compliance of the
industry in cooperation with the state government authorities. State
governments have been asked to activate their State Animal Disease
Emergency Committee should the need arise.

Quarantine stations have been asked to take necessary action to prevent
poultry product imports and to test all imports. Trade sources mention
that the GOI has yet to take a decision to permit the development or
import of vaccines, even though it announced measures to prevent any
incidence of HPAI.

# HPAI alert takes its toll on the domestic broiler market...

Trade sources indicate that as a result of the Avian Influenza (AI)
"scare", poultry meat demand shrunk by 15-20 percent in various north
Indian markets, despite the bird flu free status of the country. Broiler
prices (wholesale) are down by about 25-30 percent in the New Delhi
market, and are currently quoted at 60 to 80 cents per kilogram (live
weight basis). Markets in other parts of the country are reported to be
unaffected. Meanwhile, media reports quoting a senior veterinary
scientist indicate the occurrence of the low-pathogenic H9N1 sub-type of
AI during the summer 2003 in some northern states.

# Import ban to hurt the domestic poultry industry...

Imports of grandparent stock, poultry meat-based products, including pet
foods and vaccines of avian origin, have been prohibited with this
notification. Many of the integrators who source their grandparent
breeding stocks from abroad are worried that they will go out of
business if this ban remains. About one third of the broiler chick
supplies and one fifth of the layer chick supplies in the country depend
on foreign breeding stocks imports. Further, the ban on vaccines of
avian origin would limit supplies and increase the cost to poultry
farmers. This ban will likely affect the domestic poultry market in
terms of increased day-old chick prices, costlier vaccines, and higher
meat prices.

**.... Exports of US poultry and products to receive a setback**

Exports of US poultry and poultry products, estimated at \$ 1.1 million
in CY 2002, would be affected while the ban is in force. Exports to
India of US poultry and poultry products include grandparent stock
(either as hatching eggs or day old chicks), poultry meat, and turkey
meat. Other products that would be affected include poultry-based
products such as vaccines, other biologicals, and pet foods.

**.... Processors see a windfall in exports from the SE Asian HPAI
outbreak**

Indian exporters are upbeat about improved export prospects for Indian
poultry products to Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and Russia, following
serious trade inquiries from these countries and rising international
prices. Iraqi poultry meat importers have also reportedly approached
Indian processors. However, trade sources ruled out the possibility of
direct exports to Iraq, indicating that poultry meat is currently
exported via Kuwait. Some multinational food chains have reportedly
approached the Indian poultry processors to supply their Asian
operations. At the moment, Indian exporters are constrained by a
shortage of processing capacities. However, processors are drawing up
plans to augment their capacities, if needed, to meet any increase in
export demand.