Shillong: Meghalaya's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department will establish a taskforce to oversee the entry of poultry from other states, Minister Alexander Laloo Hek announced today.

This move comes after a meeting with the Meghalaya Poultry Farmers and Welfare Association (MPFWA), which expressed concerns about the spread of avian flu through imported poultry.

Hek noted that the avian flu epidemic has been affecting the country since 2019. Recently, the MPFWA turned back two truckloads of poultry from Haryana due to allegations of avian flu outbreaks in the state.

Daminot Sylliang, president of the MPFWA, suggested that Meghalaya follow the example of other states that have banned poultry imports from areas affected by avian flu.

The poultry farmers also expressed concerns about the lower prices of imported chicken and eggs, which undercut local suppliers. However, Hek stated that the government cannot regulate poultry prices, emphasizing that it's up to the farmers to agree on a fixed rate.

Sylliang urged the government to ban poultry imports from other states to protect local farmers from losses.