Budgam Jan 10: Following the imposition of a ban on the import of live poultry birds into Jammu and Kashmir because of the Bird Flu scare in many parts of India, the poultry farm owners and others associated with the business in Kashmir are fearing huge losses. Adding to their fears is the fact that people are avoiding buying of poultry.

A poultry owner, Shah Sajid from Budgam told Rising Kashmir that because of the Bird Flu scare, people are avoiding eating poultry products which has adversely affected their business. “We have youth who have taken bank loans for getting into this business and have established their units but due to the Flu scare they are staring at huge losses and a fear that they would not be able to pay their loans back,” Sajid said.

Another poultry owner Shabir Ahmad from the Magam area of Budgam said that the hoteliers are managing to acquire imported chicken meat through various means but it is the local poultry owners who have been affected.

Meanwhile, the government has urged people not to panic, even as it has issued an advisory to the poultry owners and poultry dealers to remain cautious.