Oct 27, 2011
Neither the outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) nor the constant checking at the entry gates to Phuentsholing stop its residents and hoteliers from bringing in poultry products from across the border.
Despite the ban imposed last month following H5N1 outbreak in Assam and West Bengal, eggs and chicken are easily available in Jaigaon and Bhutanese continue to flock to bring them home.
In fact, in the words of a meat vendor in Jaigaon, the sale of poultry products soars with Bhutanese customers when its government bans it import from the Indian border towns.
“With or without the ban it’s the usual business for us,” one of the many vendors in Jaigaon said. “But bans like these bring us more Bhutanese customers and subsequently better revenue.”
A vendor along the Chinese line where many Bhutanese families live said Bhutanese hid the poultry products inside a polythene bag along with other goods they bought and sneaked it into Bhutan.
A few vendors also do door-delivery of the poultry products if ordered in bulk.
Records with Bhutan Authority and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) show that, on an average, about 50,000kg of frozen chicken are imported from India and about 8,000 cartons of eggs a month.
Local poultry, on the other hand, accounts for just about 1,500kg a month.
The ban also means brisk business for the local poultry farms at Sampheling gewog under Phuentsholing.
But its farm owners said it was near impossible catering to soaring demands during such bans.
BM poultry farm owner at Gurung Dara Budhiman Rai said in the last few years demand for local poultry products, despite the high prices, has witnessed a drastic surge in demand.
“Earlier during bans, people bought local products reluctantly but now with greater awareness, local products are also in as much demand,” he said.
A kilogram of chicken that normally fetches Nu 140, increases to Nu 180 to Nu 200 especially during a ban in Phuentsholing.
Eggs supplied for Nu 220 a tray shoots up to Nu 280 and Nu 300.
While it was impossible to frisk passersby or a vehicle entering Phuentsholing, though the gate, BAFRA officials said they seized small quantities and penalised people on a daily basis, especially during onset of the ban.
“These days we mostly come across Indian truckers who bring in chicken to be consumed on the way during their halt in Phuentsholing, unaware of the ban,” a BAFRA official said. “We just warn them, confiscate the meat and let them go.”
This first ban this year was imposed last month following an outbreak at neighbouring Indian state of Assam in Dhubri on September 7. Another outbreak was confirmed in Murshidabad and Nadia districts of West Bengal.
Meanwhile, BAFRA officials said it’s not known when the ban would be lifted and that it would depend on the situation in Assam and West Bengal.
By Kinga Dema
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