New Delhi: The Delhi government and municipal corporations on Thursday withdrew bans on the purchase, storage and sale of chicken and eggs in the capital that had caused chaos among traders and restaurant owners.
The restrictions, enforced due to an outbreak of bird flu in 10 states, were lifted after the Centre asked states not to curb interstate supplies of poultry and poultry products. Additionally, samples of birds from the markets tested negative for bird flu.
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which represents half a million outlets, had also protested and said the bans were unscientific and would further dent consumer sentiment.
In a letter to the Delhi government on Wednesday, NRAI asked for the orders to be withdrawn, saying they were “not based on any scientific evidence, created unnecessary panic in public and should be reviewed immediately.”
The Delhi government on Monday banned the sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the city. Civic authorities banned sale and storage of poultry and processed chicken in markets and restaurants on Wednesday.
The Centre told states that bans should not be used to check the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu. Such bans “would add to the negative impact on the poultry industry,” said animal husbandry and dairying minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday. “There are a few states which have banned entry of poultry products... (they) should reconsider such decisions.”
Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Assam and Madhya Pradesh banned the entry of poultry products from other states. Prices of poultry products slumped 50% in some of these states.
Restaurant executives were concerned that the ban would negatively impact sentiment about consumption of chicken and that not all consumers would return in the next few weeks.
“While your order regarding entry and sale of livestock is understood, the same should not apply to cooked products in restaurants,” said the NRAI letter to the Delhi government, which was signed by association secretary general Prakul Kumar.
Restaurants Hit Hard
There was no scientific reason for the Delhi government and the municipal corporations to ban cooked chicken dishes and eggs, said Rahul Singh, founder of The Beer Cafe, which operates over 30 outlets in the country. “We have a presence in more than 20 municipalities across India and haven’t seen such a directive,” he said.
Restaurants had just started reporting a recovery in dine-ins after months of shutdowns and restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in 30% of restaurants and bars closing permanently. “Such restrictions at this stage will be a death blow to the industry,” NRAI said in the letter.
The restrictions, enforced due to an outbreak of bird flu in 10 states, were lifted after the Centre asked states not to curb interstate supplies of poultry and poultry products. Additionally, samples of birds from the markets tested negative for bird flu.
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which represents half a million outlets, had also protested and said the bans were unscientific and would further dent consumer sentiment.
In a letter to the Delhi government on Wednesday, NRAI asked for the orders to be withdrawn, saying they were “not based on any scientific evidence, created unnecessary panic in public and should be reviewed immediately.”
The Delhi government on Monday banned the sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the city. Civic authorities banned sale and storage of poultry and processed chicken in markets and restaurants on Wednesday.
The Centre told states that bans should not be used to check the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu. Such bans “would add to the negative impact on the poultry industry,” said animal husbandry and dairying minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday. “There are a few states which have banned entry of poultry products... (they) should reconsider such decisions.”
Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Assam and Madhya Pradesh banned the entry of poultry products from other states. Prices of poultry products slumped 50% in some of these states.
Restaurant executives were concerned that the ban would negatively impact sentiment about consumption of chicken and that not all consumers would return in the next few weeks.
“While your order regarding entry and sale of livestock is understood, the same should not apply to cooked products in restaurants,” said the NRAI letter to the Delhi government, which was signed by association secretary general Prakul Kumar.
Restaurants Hit Hard
There was no scientific reason for the Delhi government and the municipal corporations to ban cooked chicken dishes and eggs, said Rahul Singh, founder of The Beer Cafe, which operates over 30 outlets in the country. “We have a presence in more than 20 municipalities across India and haven’t seen such a directive,” he said.
Restaurants had just started reporting a recovery in dine-ins after months of shutdowns and restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in 30% of restaurants and bars closing permanently. “Such restrictions at this stage will be a death blow to the industry,” NRAI said in the letter.
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