India updates poultry disease prevention advice

India’s new General Guidelines for Biosecurity at Central Poultry Development Organizations is aimed at research institutes but the principles can be applied to state farms, according to the Department for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DAHD) as well as private enterprises.
Previous outbreaks of avian Influenza at Central Poultry Development Organizations (CPDO) in Bhubaneswar and Hessarghatta have shown the critical importance of implementing an effective biosecurity plan to prevent future disasters. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) proposed are designed to act as a roadmap to raise awareness and help maintain biosecurity. Sections are included on farm location, restricting access to the farm and poultry sheds by visitors, vehicles and equipment, and rules for workers.
New birds must be isolated and quarantined after arrival. Effective cleaning and disinfection is an essential component of good hygiene and thus one of the key biosecurity measures for disease control, according to the publication, which goes on to include guidance on cleaning and disinfection of the house and all equipment, disposal of mortalities and manure.
The 16-page publication says “The birds should be provided certain medicines and essential vaccines regularly, which can boost immunity such as vitamins, trace minerals and proteins.  Deficiency of these will not only lead to decreased production but there will be more chances of getting infection in flock with a low level of immunity. Anti-stress medication during hot weather, after de-beaking, dubbing etc. may be given.”
Among the regular checks recommended are for mycotoxins or other toxic components in the feed; Salmonella levels in the poultry house; isolation, and the identification and antibiotic resistance testing of any pathogenic organisms. Controlling the environmental temperature is important to minimize heat stress. Workers should be educated about diseases, their transmission and preventative measures. Finally, the guidelines include recommendations for documentation and records that should be kept for each farm, and what do if an outbreak of disease is suspected.

Heat kills over 17 million broilers in India

Over 17 million chickens have died in India as a result of the country’s heat wave, and chicken meat prices have soared as a consequence.
May and June are India’s hottest months, but temperatures this year have been above average in some parts of the country, and the cooling monsoon rains are late.
A mortality rate of 2-3 percent in poultry flocks is not unusual during India’s summer months, however it rose to 10 percent during May. At least 17 million birds are thought to have died during the month, while chicken prices rose by 35 percent.
The number of human deaths attributed to the heat wave has been widely reported, however its impact on agriculture has been less widely discussed. The heat is not only negatively impacting the country’s poultry producers, but also its feed producers, who have seen demand fall as a result of the difficulties experienced by broiler producers.
“In the last two-to-three weeks, poultry feed demand has fallen by nearly 30 percent,” K V Krishan Charan, general manager of feed producer Komaral Feeds and Food Pvt Ltd, told Reuters.
Locally imposed bans on beef consumption have also helped to push up the price of chicken, reversing a drop in response to fears over avian influenza which saw prices drop below production cost.
Temperatures are expected to continue rising in June, and the death of more broilers is predicted. 

Poultry partnerships between India, Japan being explored

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  Andrea Gantz

  The Indian poultry industry is hoping to form partnerships with Japanese companies to give the sector a boost.

  From WATTAgNet:
  India’s poultry industry is hoping to expand its export opportunities, and is looking at potential agreements with Japanese companies to give a boost to its poultry exports. A delegation of Japanese companies visited India recently and expressed interest in exploring joint ventures with partners in India for processing poultry products and importing them.
  The delegation was led by Mayekawa Manufacturing, a company that makes cooling and freezing systems as well as compressors for refrigerators and heat pumps.
  During the visit, Mayekawa Chairman Yoshiro Tanaka told Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that his group has alliances with 24 Japanese companies looking to invest some US$9 billion in India's food processing sector.
  The Indian poultry sector has been reporting a healthy growth of 12-15 percent a year on the back of a rapidly growing middle class and rising incomes. Exports have been low because of cost disadvantages and global concerns over the quality of Indian poultry products following frequent outbreaks of avian influenza.
  "Thanks to mushrooming global quick service restaurants (QSRs) like KFC and McDonald's, apart from local QSR brands, the Indian poultry industry had over the last decade or so begun adopting global quality standards," said a senior executive at a large poultry company, requesting anonymity.
  Presently, India exports poultry products mostly to Oman, Germany, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. It also ships small quantities of egg powder to Japan.

India expected to challenge WTO ruling on US poultry ban

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  India is expected to challenge the WTO ruling that calls India's ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products unfair.

  From WATTAgNet:
  India is expected to challenge a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the country's ban on U.S. poultry products is unfair and inconsistent with standard global trade obligations.
  The ruling was issued on October 14, when the WTO stated India’s ban on U.S. poultry “arbitrarily and unjustifiably” discriminates between members where identical or similar conditions prevail. India placed its ban on U.S. poultry products in 2007 citing it wanted to protect itself from low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), but produced no scientific evidence to support the ban’s validity. In response, the U.S. initiated consultations in 2012, refuting India’s claims that LPAI will mutate into a highly pathogenic form of the virus.
  India’s Department of Commerce is working on the "feasibility of filing an appeal against the WTO's panel report" in consultation with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, according to sources.
  The WTO ruling was praised by Jim Sumner, president of USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), and Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council (NCC), who called the ban “thinly veiled protectionism.”
  “Our industry believes that free and fair trade – particularly with food – should never be used as a political bargaining chip. Indian consumers deserve access to affordable and safe protein, which the U.S. has the ability to provide,” Sumner and Brown said in a joint statement.

World Trade Organization opens panel on USA-India avian influenza dispute

The World Trade Organization is opening a panel on the dispute between the USA and India over measures concerning the importation of certain agricultural products due to avian influenza concerns.
India's avian influenza trade measures prohibit the importation of various agricultural products into the country from those countries reporting notifiable avian influenza, both highly pathogenic and low pathogenic.
The USA is arguing that the measures are inconsistent with the country's commitments and obligations to various provisions of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, and that they have adversely affected exports of a variety of poultry products from the USA.
Among reasons stated by the USA for requesting the panel are that India's measures are more restrictive than required and are not based on science. The country also notes that India arbitrarily discriminates between WTO members where similar conditions occur and does not consider disease free areas.

International forum to discuss Indian poultry industry

The IAI Nutrition Forum is an international platform to discuss the nutritional issues faced by the Indian poultry industry. The forum will be held February 21, 2014 at IARI Ground in New Delhi, India.
Eight speakers will discuss poultry performance and nutrition trends, alternate strategies to manage feed costs, mycotoxin in the region, grain storage and more. Registration is $50. More information can be found at the IAI Expo website. 

Indonesian avian flu outbreaks lead to restrictions

The West Nusa Tenggara provincial administration has ordered its Husbandry and Animal Health Agency to ban poultry entering from other Indonesian provinces following outbreaks of theavian influenza virus.
The move is part of efforts to ensure that the virus does not enter West Nusa Tenggara, which has so far been declared free of the virus. The agency has called on sub agencies in 10 regencies across the province to take the necessary precautions to prevent the virus spreading to the region, the JakartaPost reported.
Officials of the agency will double the guard at the inter-province border, such as on the Lembar - Pandang Bai route, which connects West Lombok and Bali. More officials will be also be deployed in Bima, which links West Nusa Tenggara with East Nusa Tenggara through Sape Port. 

Broiler meat prices hit record highs in India

Broiler prices in India have reached record levels of Rs 75 (US$1.37) per kilogram not seen since 2011, according to reports. The price levels were brought on by a strong demand, higher feed costs and the arrival of winter.
Broiler meat production registered an 8.97-percent rise to touch 3.1 million metric tons in 2012 and is likely to grow an additional 8.23 percent to touch 3.4 million metric tons in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Rising feed prices that account for one-third of the cost of production are considered a major reason for the steady rise in prices, as a 75-kilogram bag of broiler feed cost Rs 2,702.50 (US$49.38) in 2012, compared to RS 1,894 (US$34.61) in 2011.
Meanwhile, egg prices are also rising, owing to pick-up in retail demand. The National Egg Coordination Committee has increased the price of an egg by six paise to Rs 3.40 (US$0.06).
Pick-up in consumption due to winter and a growth in demand from confectioners are attributed to the rise in prices, according to the industry. The committee has dropped layer rates for birds of 1.3 kilograms to Rs 35 US$0.64) to boost consumption, as it is a perishable product.

India poultry farmers facing losses in Andhra Pradesh

Poultry farmers in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have reported significant losses in the wake of decreased prices due to low demand, according to reports, mirroring a countrywide trend.
While the cost of production stands at Rs 60 (US$1.09) per kilogram, farmers are selling live chickens at Rs 43–45 (US$0.43–0.82) per kilogram. “In fact, the prices had fallen to Rs 27 (US$0.49) per kilogram at the farm level some weeks ago," said D. Sudhakar, president of the Andhra Pradesh Poultry Federation. "We expect the demand to pick up in the coming weeks, nudging up prices.’’ At the retail level, prices of dressed chickens are currently at Rs 80 (US$1.46), down from Rs 120 (US$2.19) two months ago.

Andhra Pradesh produces 35 million live birds per month, one-third of India's total production. The poultry industry in the state is estimated at Rs 200 billion (US$3.64 billion).

India poultry feed prices up 69 percent in 2012

India's poultry feed prices have increased by 69 percent so far in 2012 due to lack of rainfall and higher global rates, according to reports, making it likely that chicken and egg prices will also increase throughout the year.
The 69 percent year-on-year rise in July is up from the 18 percent increase in June, said research firm Nomura. The numbers are also outpacing those set during the country's 2009 drought. Cereal prices could rise, as well, according to Nomura, if farmers choose to find substitutes for poultry feed as a way to control costs.

India broiler production to reach record in 2012

India's broiler meat production is expected to gain 450,000 metric tons over 2011 numbers to reach a record 3.2 million metric tons in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, carrying on a trend that has seen production rise 30 percent in the last four years. Production also increased 10 percent from 2010 to 2011, to 2.9 million metric tons.
“India's broiler production is revised upwards to a record figure based on a robust domestic demand fuelled by an expanding middle class and changing tastes and preferences together with the emergence of vertically integrated poultry producers that support increasing production,” said the USDA. Domestic consumption was 2.8 metric tons in 2011 and is likely to reach 3.1 metric tons in 2012, according to reports.
Egg production has also increased, to 26.66 million eggs per day in 2010–2011 from just 9.8 million eggs per day in 2000–2001, according to the National Egg Coordination Committee. Table-egg demand is expected to continue growing at a rate of 5 percent to 7 percent.

India poultry feed prices drop slightly in Haryana

Poultry feed prices in the Indian state of Haryana have dropped as ingredient prices have held steady, according to reports, with 30-kilogram and 50-kilogram bags falling by Rs 10–20 (US$0.18–$0.36) on June 12.
Prices of almost all feed ingredients have been unchanged since June 1, said Subhash Sharma, financial head of Sarvottam Poultry Feed Centre Pvt. Ltd. Maize is at Rs 1,170 (US$20.98) per quintal, bajra is at Rs 1,080 (US$19.36) per quintal and fish oil is quoting at Rs 68 (US$1.22) per liter.
Prices of broiler concentrates feed and broiler starter mash have gone down by Rs 20 each and are currently quoting at Rs 1,560 (US$27.97) and Rs 1,240 (US$22.23) for a 50-kilogram bag, respectively. Broiler pre-starter concentrate 30 percent decreased by Rs 20 and is selling at Rs 1,370 (US$24.56) for a 30-kilogram bag, while layer concentrate has decreased by Rs 10 and is running at Rs 1,200 (US$21.51) for a 50-kilogram bag. Prices of pre-lay mash have eased by Rs 15 (US$0.27) and currently sit at Rs 800 (US$14.34), while broiler finisher is selling at Rs 1,220 (US$21.87) for a 50-kilogram bag, down Rs 20 from previous levels, according to reports.

India poultry producers have lost 2 million birds since beginning of May due to heat wave

The poultry industry in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is being hit hard by a heat wave that has resulted in the deaths of over 2 million birds in the East Godavari district since the first week of May, according to reports.
Small farmers, already facing losses due to increases in the cost of poultry feed and labor charges, have been the worst hit. As many as 150,000 eggs were being exported each day to surrounding areas prior to the heat wave, but daily production has dropped to 90,000 eggs since May 1, negatively affecting exports, according to the industry.
Poultry farmer Kovvuri Srikantha Reddy said he lost 5,000 chicks in one week and puts the casualties in other farms in his village at 20,000. The casualties among broiler chicks are more when compared with layer chicks, and the weight of broiler chicks has dropped from 2 kg to 1.5 kg.
According to producers, the total loss is being estimated at between Rs 200 million (US$3.6 million) and Rs 300 million (US$5.4 million).

India poultry production drops as summer sets in

India's poultry production has dropped as summer has set in, causing prices to rise as farmers face challenges such as low bird weights and high feed prices, according to reports.
Chickens' food intake falls significantly in the summer, causing weight reductions of between 30 percent and 50 percent, said B. Rama Rao, member of the National Egg Coordination Committee. This causes their survival rate to drop by 20 percent to 30 percent. "Both factors bring down production rapidly, and this results in a rate hike," said Rao. The rate of a dressed chicken has risen to Rs 194 (US$3.46) per kilogram. In April, it was in the range of Rs 130–150 (US$2.32–$2.68) per kilogram.
An increase in soya prices for chicken feed has also contributed to the decrease in production. "The feed rate has grown to Rs 2,700 (US$48.16) a quintal from Rs 1,700 (US$30.33) during the past four months," said Rao.

Bangladesh considering egg, poultry imports to stabilize prices

Bangladesh authorities are considering allowing egg and day-old chick imports from India in spite of avian influenza concerns, as the country's domestic feed costs and bird flu troubles of its own have caused market prices to rise.
Myanmar and Thailand are also being considered as potential import markets, as their poultry sectors are thriving, according to traders. The prices per egg and per kilogram of chicken have risen by around 10 percent and 30 percent, respectively, to some Tk 10 (US$0.12) and Tk 165 (US$2.02) in the retail market. Local poultry farmers have also increased the price of a day-old chick by Tk 15 (US$0.18) to Tk 65 (US$0.80) on average, though they have been getting a 20 percent government subsidy on power tariffs since 1992, said industry sources.
"We are considering the proposal to resume import of eggs and day-old chicks for a limited period, as their local prices have already gone out of purchasing capacity of the majority consumers," said an official at the Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce. The problem, said the government, is that most of the Asian poultry-producing countries have records of bird-flu outbreaks in recent years, causing them to weigh the benefits and the risks of trade.
An estimated 6,000 poultry farms have been closed in Bangladesh since the beginning of 2012 due to avian influenza and high feed costs, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service.

US requests dispute settlement over India poultry import restrictions

The U.S. has requested the World Trade Organization establish a dispute settlement panel to decide U.S. claims regarding the government of India’s restrictions on imports of various U.S. agricultural products, including poultry meat and chicken eggs, according to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.
For years, India has used a variety of non-tariff trade barriers to deny U.S. poultry access to the Indian market. Although international health standards, in particular those of the World Organization for Animal Health, identify only highly pathogenic stains of avian influenza as warranting trade restrictions, India has banned poultry imports from the U.S. or any country that reports any incident of avian influenza, even cases of low pathogenicity. According to the U.S. government, this is a protectionist policy that is inconsistent with accepted international standards, and has no health or safety justification. This policy is particularly problematic in the case of the U.S., which is the world’s leading exporter of poultry products.
“Unfortunately, the government of India did not lift its unwarranted restrictions on U.S. poultry after consultations with the United States at the [World Trade Organization] in Geneva," said the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council in a joint statement. "However, we are pleased that [the U.S. Trade Representative] is taking the next step. We support the dispute settlement process moving forward as soon as possible with the formation of this panel.”

India lowers egg prices to boost consumption

To increase poultry consumption, India's National Egg Coordination Committee has lowered egg prices by 25 paise to Rs 2.70 (US$0.05) each.
Prices reached a record Rs 3.13 (US$0.06) in December as a cold wave in the north and the intensification of cyclones in the south pushed up poultry prices. The price cut, say industry sources, is motivated by buyer resistance and the need to clear out stock that piled up during Pongal season, when schools are closed and fewer trade trucks run among the states. “We don't want to pile up these perishable products and hence we have trimmed the prices to perk up consumption,” said one source. The Committee has also lowered prices for layer birds, to Rs 30 (US$0.60) per kg from Rs 43 (US$0.86) per kg. The Broiler Coordination Committee has lowered the rate for cull birds to Rs 46 (US$0.91) from Rs 50 (US$0.99) per kg.

Nepal chicken, feed prices up on lowered poultry counts

Nepal's poultry producers have raised their prices by Rs 15 (US$0.18) to Rs 150 (US$2.64) per kg due to the depleting population of chickens on their farms, according to reports.
A shortage of fuel has made it more difficult to maintain poultry sheds at hospitable temperatures, say farmers, which has led to a necessary reduction in their stocks. There is currently a supply deficit in Nepal's capital of 15%–20%, said Naran Hari Khattri, president of Feed Industries Association Nepal. Daily demand is around 200,000 kg of chicken, but Khattri said the onset of Nepal's wedding season will only increase the deficit. A significant rise in feed ingredient costs has also precipitated a rise in chicken feed prices, to Rs 45 (US$0.55) per kg from Rs 30 (US$0.37) per kg. “We are compelled to increase the feed price as major components of feeds are imported with payments made in the U.S. dollar, which has strengthened lately,” said Khattri. Maize and oil cake have increased to Rs 25 (US$0.31) and Rs 35 (US$0.43) per kg from Rs 19 (US$0.23) and Rs 30 (US$0.37) per kg, respectively.

India poultry industry may experience negative growth in 2012

India's poultry industry may be looking at negative growth in 2012 due to increasing feed costs, particularly soybean and maize, and production costs, most notably in the last three months, according to industry experts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
One metric ton of soybeans now costs Rs 16,000 (US$311.08) in Andhra Pradesh, compared to Rs 12,000 (US$233.31) in October/November 2011. A metric ton of maize currently costs Rs 12,000, compared to Rs 9,000 (US$174.98) during the same time in 2011. The production cost for broiler chicken has increased from Rs 30 (US$0.58) to Rs 50 (US$0.97) per kg, but the market rate has decreased from Rs 100 (US$1.94) to Rs 70 (US$1.36) per kg. "Skinless chicken is available at Rs 102 (US$1.98) a kg, dressed chicken at Rs 86 (US$1.67) and a live bird for Rs 50," said A Gopal Reddy, executive director of a private hatchery in the state. According to industry sources, 14,000 poultry breeders and 95 hatcheries across Andhra Pradesh are stagnating due to the costs. Breeders say they want the government to ban forward trading in soybeans and maize to help offset the crisis. The state produces 30 million broilers per month.

Nepal declares bird flu crisis, puts districts on alert

Nepal's government has declared the Bhaktapur district, which has been hit by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, an "emergency area," closing down two dozen schools and putting in place a high alert program in 26 surrounding districts.
The outbreak originated from a poultry farm near Manohara Khola, which reported an incident involving 35 dead chickens that were found to have died from bird flu. Actions were then taken to prevent the spread of the disease, including culling the birds. "Over 500 chickens and ducks have been slaughtered," said government health official Narayan Prasad Ghimire. "We also destroyed dozens of eggs and several kilos of poultry feed. We've banned the production and consumption of poultry products in the crisis-hit area. Poultry farming will not be allowed for at least one and-a-half months."
Bhaktapur is the second-largest chicken-producing district in Nepal, usually producing 10,000 kilograms of chicken and 150,000 eggs per day.