Panaji: Defending the transport of live poultry into Goa from other states, the All Goa Poultry Farmers Association and the All Goa Poultry Traders Association said live chickens are transported in temperature-controlled environments and are safe for consumption.The associations issued the clarification on a recent raid on a frozen chicken consignment that brought the transportation and handling of poultry products under scrutiny. They stressed the need to strengthen Goa’s local poultry industry to reduce dependence on supplies from outside the state.The associations called for reviving poultry farms and introducing subsidies to cover production costs. They said that increasing local production would enable Goan poultry farmers and traders to compete with outside suppliers.“If rates in Goa are affordable, then outside players will not be able to compete with us. Within six months, production can be increased by 20%,” the associations said.Both associations also raised concerns over the functioning of poultry trade in the state, claiming that nearly 30% of poultry traders in Goa are non-locals and are backed by their respective MLAs.“Such traders must be subjected to proper scrutiny, particularly about the unhygienic disposal of chicken waste,” they said.They also welcomed the recent notification issued by govt tightening regulations governing the transportation of live poultry into Goa under the Goa Poultry Development Corporation.
