A delegation of the All India Poultry Breeders Association (AIPBA) called on Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday to allay fears about the impact of coronavirus on the poultry Industry.

The delegation, led by association chairman Bahadur Ali, apprised Naidu of the problems being faced by the poultry sector in the wake of the widespread fears about the impact of novel coronavirus on the poultry industry.

They informed the Vice-President that false news about the threat to poultry industry was creating panic among the people and resulted in a massive reduction in the consumption of poultry products. They also stated that the poultry sector was passing through financial stress and wanted rescheduling of loans.

Quoting American biologist, Dr. Bruce Lipton, the Vice President said that the “fear of Coronavirus was more deadly than the virus itself.”

He asserted that all forms of rumor-mongering must stop and efforts must be made to restore the industry to normalcy.

The Vice-President spoke to the Director-General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Prof. Balram Bhargava, and advised him to issue an advisory to allay the fears of the people on consumption of chicken and eggs.

He said that dissemination of correct information was necessary to assure both consumers and sellers.

Stating that millions of farmers are dependent on the poultry sector especially in rural India, Vice-President said that the sector has a key role in creating secondary income for farmers, apart from providing nutritional security to people.

Naidu also asked the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur, who was present at the meeting, to look into the matter. The Vice President asked all stakeholders to make collective efforts in providing the right information to people.

Thakur assured the delegation that the government would examine the matter and do the needful.

Ranjith Reddy, Member of Parliament and president, Telangana Poultry Breeders Association, and Suresh Chitturi, vice-president of AIPBA, also attended the meeting with Naidu..