Allow transport of eggs, meat, animal feed during COVID-19 lockdown: Ministry to states, UTs
PASHUDHAN PRAHAREE NETWORK, 24th March.
New Delhi: With eggs and meat not readily available in a number of states, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying have written to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories asking them to ensure these items are included in the list of essential commodities exempted from the lockdown.
In his letter to the states and UTs, Joint Secretary, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr O.P. Chaudhary has asked them to issue “necessary directions to the law enforcing authorities to include live chicks, egg and meat in the list of commodities to be exempted from lock down”.
“After the lockdown was announced by a number of states, it came to our notice that egg, meat and live chicks have not been included in the list of exempted items. Till the coronavirus pandemic continues, we have requested that such items should be exempted so that people don’t face any issue while transporting these from one place to another,” Chaudhary told .
He added that the letter meant to ensure that those enforcing the directives on the list of exempted commodities at state borders get greater clarity.
Another official in the ministry said states must pay heed to the letter and include the items on the exempted list to make them available to the people.
The ministry has issued a number of advisories in the recent past to tackle rumours that egg and meat consumption lead to coronavirus infection. Earlier, Union Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh had said eggs are an important source of protein apart from chicken and fish, and people should continue to eat them without fear.
The ministry has also noted that fake messages have caused panic among poultry farmers, industries and consumers.
“As you may be aware due to ongoing control and containment of COVID 19 pandemics many States have gone for complete lock down to stop spreading of virus. It has been brought to the notice of the Department that the States are issuing the list of essential services which are exempted from the lock down. In this regard, I would like to state that many States have not considered live chicks, egg, and meat in the list of commodities to be exempted from the lock down,” Chaudhary’s letter dated 23 March read.
The number of coronavirus cases in India reached 446 Tuesday, while the global total crossed 381,000 with Italy displacing China as the country with most number of deaths.
In India, ten deaths have been reported so far, while 36 people have recovered since the first case was recorded in Kerala in January.
States across the country have implemented lockdowns, asking people to stay home. While commercial establishments such as malls, shops and cinema theatres have been shut, essential services are continuing.
‘Birds and animals may die due to hunger’
The letter also points out that states are not allowing movement of maize and soya meant to be used as animal and bird feed. “Because of such restrictions, the birds and animals may die due to hunger, Chaudhary said in the letter, requesting the states to allow movement of animal and bird feed “with necessary certification”.
The ministry Tuesday wrote another letter to the chief secretaries of all states and UTs, pointing out that manufactured feed and feed ingredients are essential for animals and birds. It noted that manufacturing and transportation of these feed and feed ingredients were not being allowed due to lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak.
“In continuation of letter… dated March 23 it is further clarified that manufactured animal feed and feed ingredients are essential… it is requested to issue necessary direction to the law enforcing authorities to include feed and feed ingredient to the list of commodities to be exempted from lock down and also allow movement of manufactured animal feed and feed ingredients for animals and bird with necessary certification,” Chaudhary wrote in the letter.
Source- Theprint.
