KATHMANDU, June 10: The government has decided to provide around Rs 420 million in relief assistance to farmers affected by bird flu, as the culling of poultry and destruction of eggs continues to rise due to the outbreak.
In recent weeks, the number of chickens and eggs destroyed due to bird flu infection has been increasing. So far, 553,750 chickens have been culled as part of disease control measures.
According to information provided by the veterinary response team mobilized by the Department of Livestock Services, layers and local breed chickens from 72 farms across 10 affected districts have been destroyed.
Under the government-directed rapid response operation, along with chickens, 109,000 eggs and 205,000 kilograms of poultry feed have also been destroyed, said senior veterinarian Dr. Navraj Shrestha of the Department of Livestock Services.
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The government will provide around Rs 420 million in relief to farmers who have suffered losses due to the destruction of poultry and related products caused by bird flu.
According to Dr Shrestha, farmers are being compensated as they were forced to destroy chickens, eggs, and feed after confirmed infection of the disease.
Under the Bird Flu Control Regulation 2078, farmers are entitled to 75 percent compensation of the cost value for poultry products that are destroyed in such operations.
In addition, affected farmers are only allowed to resume poultry business after a mandatory waiting period of around two months following complete destruction of poultry in the affected area, which leads to further losses.
Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr. Umesh Dahal, said that compensation amounts are determined based on damage reports collected in a prescribed format by the rapid response team.
The report is signed by both the team and the farmers. Since cost values vary by district, decisions are made through meetings involving the respective Chief District Officer and other senior officials.
Bird flu has affected 10 districts, including Kathmandu Valley, over the past few months. According to Dr. Dahal, the outbreak first appeared in Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari a few weeks ago and later spread through Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, and most recently into the Kathmandu Valley.
Senior veterinarian Dr Shrestha said there is no treatment for bird flu, and the only option is to cull infected birds and prevent further spread as quickly as possible. He added that destroying poultry, eggs, and feed in affected areas is the only effective control measure.
Veterinary teams are continuously deployed for containment efforts. Recently, the Kathmandu Valley has emerged as a bird flu hotspot.
He added that the disease has now been brought under control in Chitwan and some other parts of the country.
