Ban on animal import affects Chin and Mizoram states

Khonumthung

6 April 2006

An acute shortage in supply of venison on the Indo-Burma border has posed a problem for two states in the two countries. The crisis has surfaced following Mizoram authorities banning imports of animal from Chin state since the last week of March.

Mizoram in north east India faces an acute shortage of venison supplies while Chin state of Burma is in deep trouble because sales of domestic animals to Mizoram has dropped due to the restriction on the entry of animals into Mizoram. The ban was imposed by Mizoram to prevent spread of endemic bird flu.

Venison supplies have fallen sharply in Mizoram while demand has been rising, according to our sources. Meanwhile, the entry of cattle from Chin state has fallen too as tongue and hoof infection from cattle has been reported from Burma.

"Beef is sold out before noon in Aizawl the capital of Mizoram while chicken and eggs sales have plummeted," sources said in Aizawl.

Meanwhile, the market outlet on the Indo-Burma border of Chin state has been severely affected with the blockade. For villagers of this region, sale of domestic animals in the market is as good as sealed.

"Local authorities on Mizoram's border villages have been strictly stopping the inflow of animals except cattle. Fowl, swine and goats are totally banned from entering Mizoram," says a villager in Chin state.

A slump in the sale of eggs, chicken and fowl has been reported in Mizoram as precaution against bird flu in the state, while the demand for beef has increased. Meanwhile Chin state faces a serious problem in selling its domestic animals.

The Disease Investigating Officer of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Dr. Hmarkunga investigated and concluded that there was 'negative infection' of bird flu in Mizoram as of March 20. The doctor reported that fowl deaths had been reported from a village in February.

The Mizoram authorities have stopped the import of animals as Burma tested positive for bird flu in Madalay, the second capital of Burma. A ban on the entry of animals in Mizoram follows the official announcement of bird flu infection in Burma.

Villages on the Indo-Burma border of Chin state, which are far from towns, are being severely affected by the action of the Mizoram government.

Mizoram had banned the import of animals to prevent bird flu as of late 2005 but stern measures were taken only recently. -KNG