(a) whether Saudi Arabia has banned imports of poultry products from India and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) whether India''s poultry exports to Saudi Arabia are costly compared to those from Brazil and America and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is likely to consider creation of bird flu-free zones to help shipments of poultry from regions declared safe and prevent export from sensitive zones; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia through their communication dated 25.11.2016 has informed that their Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has decided to impose a temporary ban on import of live birds, hatching eggs and chicks from India due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
(b) As per the UNCOMTRADE data, the average unit value realization for export of poultry products from Brazil, USA, India and other major exporting countries to Saudi Arabia are as under :
COUNTRY UNIT VALUE ($/kg)
(i) Brazil 1.99
(ii) Netherland 2.24
(iii) U.S.A. 1.42
(iv) Germany 1.57
(v) Poland 1.98
(vi) India 2.35
From the above, it may be observed that the Indian poultry products are not competitive.
(c )& (d) Creation of Bird Flue free-zones for export of poultry products is not under consideration in the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries. It is difficult to maintain Bird Flue free-zones, as the zones may be contaminated by the wild bird as India is coming under the number of migratory bird''s flyway. However, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries is recognizing disease free compartments of poultry establishment from where export of poultry and poultry products can take place.
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