KARACHI (January 15 2004): The Poultry Association (PA) on Wednesday claimed that chicken meat was safe for consumption as only 'Layer' crop has been affected with various seasonal diseases.

"Variance in temperature has caused the mortality of chicks," said Chairman of Poultry Association, Mohammed Hussain Patel.

Talking to APP, he said 'broiler' was not affected by any disease at present.

He said that viral diseases in the chicken at the poultry farms was a routine matter for which the farm owners take necessary measures and vaccinate the chicken of each crop.

Each crop lasts 6 to 8 weeks as far as broiler was concerned.

The Director Poultry Production & Research, Sindh, in a report released on Tuesday said that a disease in 'layers' has been detected at Poultry Pathology Laboratories as Avian Influenza H-7 and H-9.

He said the problem surfaced in November 2003 and within two weeks it spread in poultry farms established in the outskirts of the city.

Patel said that the chicken meat and eggs available in the market were safe for consumption and added that their prices were also stable.

The Convener of the Association, Abdul Maroof Hussain said that the death of 100,000 or 200.000 chicken out of 8 to 10 million at the farms due to seasonal diseases was a routine matter.

He said presently 30 to 33 percent 'broilers' died due to diseases and added that they were in constant co-ordination with the doctors in this regard.

He said that they used to hold workshops for their members very frequently about the awareness of such diseases and added that one such gathering has been organised on Thursday at a local hotel.

Courtesy Business Recorder