Guwahati, December 19 (Agencies): The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Friday claimed that filthy and unhygienic condition in factory farms in 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. Releasing a study conducted by the leading NGO in the last five years, Sharma claimed that filthy chicken and egg factory farms gave rise to birdflu. “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’, he alleged. Presenting a video footage of the unhygienic condition in the 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 waste public money as crores are spent as compensation.
The PETA suggests that the chicken industry improve the conditions in which birds are grown and killed, Sharma said. While there is certain welfare standards recommended by experts, 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 conctacted, 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 by the next few days.
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