Unhygienic conditions caused Birdflu: PETA

Guwahati, Dec 19 (PTI) The People for Ethical Treatment
of Animals (PETA) Friday claimed that filthy and unhygienic
condition in factory farms in India's north-eastern state of
Assam was the cause for outbreak of birdflu in the state.

"Filthy and unhygienic condition of factory farms lead to
repeated birdflu since last year in various parts of the
country and the same was cause for the spread of virus in the
state," PETA media coordinator Nikunj Sharma told a press
conference here in the state capital.

Releasing a study conducted by the NGO in the last five
years, Sharma said "PETA had warned the Assam government about
the deadly link as early as June last year but this was
ignored which has given rise to the virus."

Presenting video footage of the unhygienic condition in
farms across the country, the PETA activist said due to the
intensive confinement of the birds the deadly virus can spread
like wildfire.

Outbreak of birdflu every year wastes public money as
crores are spent as compensation, he said.

The PETA suggests that the chicken industry improve the
conditions in which birds are grown and killed, Sharma said.

Certain welfare standards are recommended by experts, but
the government ignored such measures which gave rise to the
flu in a large scale, he alleged.

Citing a copy of a letter written by the PETA to Assam
government's Director in the department of Animal Husbandry
and Veterinary Services, Sharma said the government was
informed about the prevailing unhygienic conditions in the
farms.

In a subsequent letter by the government to the PETA,
the government, Sharma said, had informed that the poultry
farm managers were instructed to enact animal protection laws
as per the guidelines of prevention of cruelty of animals.

When contacted, Shyam Mewara, Commissioner of the
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department denied any
knowledge of the prior warning by the PETA about the cause of
birdflu.

He said that culling operations were still on in the
seven affected districts of the state which are expected to
be over in the next few days. PTI SB
PMR
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