As poultry returns to Sri Vijaya Puram’s markets, recurring bird flu outbreaks and unchecked chemical use in farms expose deeper risks to public health and food safety.
Sri Vijaya Puram, June 4: After weeks of scarcity, poultry has returned to the markets of Sri Vijaya Puram, with prices stabilising following a sharp surge that disrupted daily consumption across the city. However, while shop shelves may look normal again, underlying concerns about the poultry sector’s resilience and safety standards persist.
The recent shortage—marked by sudden price hikes and stockouts—is not an isolated incident. Stakeholders in the local supply chain note that poultry production in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands often experiences cyclical disruptions, usually triggered by mass mortality events among chicks and interrupted supply of feed or stock from the mainland.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department have in the past confirmed isolated cases of avian influenza (bird flu), particularly during the monsoon season when high humidity can support viral spread. Containment protocols—such as culling and temporary farm closures—are typically implemented swiftly, but limited veterinary infrastructure makes early detection a recurring challenge.
Another concern raised by veterinary professionals is the unregulated use of antibiotics and commercial feed additives in small-scale poultry operations. While no official data exists on the composition of locally used poultry feed, researchers and public health bodies globally have warned that indiscriminate use of growth promoters can contribute to antibiotic resistance and food safety risks.
Currently, there are no mandatory labelling requirements for poultry sold in local markets, leaving consumers without information on how the birds were raised or what they were fed. While some residents are turning to village-raised or “desi” poultry in search of cleaner meat, the higher prices make it unaffordable for many.
Veterinary officials and policy observers suggest that the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for poultry health and quality control in the islands has made the sector vulnerable to periodic disruptions. Without reforms, they warn, such cycles may continue to affect both market stability and public health.
For now, as chicken dishes make their way back to dinner tables, experts say the focus must shift from short-term supply restoration to long-term safeguards—ensuring that future shortages don’t come at the cost of transparency and consumer safety.
