Avian Influenza, India

February 23, 2006

Impact Worksheet

Summary: On February 18, 2006, an outbreak of avian influenza virus type H5N1 in poultry was reported in Navapur, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra state of India. This is the first confirmed occurrence of H5N1 in India. Outbreaks reportedly began on January 27, 2006, and involved chickens in both commercial and backyard farms. Navapur is one of the major egg production centers of India. Commercial broilers and backyard birds in Navapur were mainly for household consumption and sale in the local markets only.

In 2005, India’s poultry stocks totaled 430 million chickens and 33 million ducks, amounting to 2.6% and 3.2%, respectively, of world stocks. India produced nearly 2.5 million metric tons of eggs, 1.9 million metric tons of chicken meat, and 65,000 metric of duck meat in 2005. During 2004, India exported nearly 1.5 million live chickens valued at $430,000. By quantity and value, live chicken exports were 0.2% and <0.1%, respectively, of the world’s total. Nepal, Yemen and Germany were the largest importers of live poultry from India in 2004. The countries receiving live poultry exports from India vary considerably from year to year. India also exported significant quantities of poultry meat and eggs, with

Saudi Arabia receiving the largest portion of poultry meat exports (72%) and United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait combined receiving almost 73% of India’s exports of eggs.

US imports of poultry products from India during 2004 and 2005 consisted of bird and feather parts and prepared or preserved poultry meat products. No live bird imports were reported. In 2005, did not import any live poultry but did import articles of down and feathers used for stuffing valued at 5,000 Canadian dollars. Mexico did not import any live poultry or poultry products from India in 2005.

Following the report of avian influenza virus type H5N1 in India, APHIS, Veterinary Services placed a temporary ban on the US import of poultry and commercial shipments of live birds, hatching eggs, and unprocessed avian products from India. Processed avian products from India must be accompanied by a VS import permit and government certification confirming that the products were treated according to APHIS requirements. US-origin pet birds and performing birds will be allowed to return upon entering one of the three USDA Quarantine centers for 30 days.

How extensive is avian influenza in India, and what was India’s disease status prior to the outbreak?

On February 18, 2006 , an outbreak of avian influenza virus type H5N1 in poultry was reported in Navapur, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra state of India . This is the first confirmed occurrence of H5N1 in India . Outbreaks reportedly began on January 27, 2006 , and involved chickens in both commercial and backyard farms. News reports indicate that about 50,000 birds died. Control measures include culling and stamping out of all domestic poultry within a radius of approximately 10 kilometers of affected premises and vaccination of all poultry within a zone of approximately 6-7 kilometers around the zone of culling. Movement controls within the infected zone are also in place. Navapur is one of India ’s major chicken and egg producing areas. Commercial broilers and backyard birds in Navapur were mainly for household consumption and sale in the local markets only. India had never reported highly pathogenic avian influenza to the OIE previously. The U.S. does not consider India free of Newcastle disease.

Source: OIE Disease Information Report; CIDRAP news; Agence France-Presse; FAS personal communications

What is India ’s place in the international market for poultry and poultry products?

In 2005, India ’s poultry stocks totaled 430 million chickens and 33 million ducks, amounting to 2.6% and 3.2%, respectively, of world stocks (Table 1). India produced nearly 2.5 million metric tons of eggs, 1.9 million metric tons of chicken meat, and 65,000 metric of duck meat in 2005. India ’s share of world production in 2005 was 4.2% of chicken eggs, 2.7% of chicken meat, and 1.9% of duck meat.

During 2004, India exported nearly 1.5 million live chickens valued at $430,000 (Table 2). By quantity and value, live chicken exports were 0.2% and <0.1%, respectively, of the world’s total. Nepal , Yemen and Germany were the largest importers of live poultry in 2004 (latest data available). The three countries combined equaled about 64% of all exports of live poultry from India in 2004. The countries receiving live poultry exports from India vary considerably from year to year. India also exported significant quantities of poultry meat and eggs with Saudi Arabia receiving the largest portion of poultry meat exports (72%) and United Arab Emirates , Oman and Kuwait combined receiving almost 73% of India exports of eggs. India ’s exports of chicken eggs made up 4.7% of world total chicken egg exports in 2004.

Sources: United Nations FAO, Global Trade Atlas

Table 1: Poultry stocks and production, India , 2004 and 2005

	2004	2005
	Stocks (1,000 head)	Stocks (1,000 head)	% of World Stocks
Stocks (1,000 head)
Chickens	425,000	430,000	2.6%
Ducks	33,000	33,000	3.2%
Total Stocks	458,000	463,000
Production (metric tons)
	Production (metric tons)	Production (metric tons)	% of World Production
Chicken Meat	1,650,000	1,900,000	2.7%
Duck Meat	65,000	65,000	1.9%
Chicken Eggs	2,464,000	2,492,000	4.2%
Total Production	4,179,000	4,457,000	3.4%

Source: United Nations FAO

Table 2: Exports of live poultry and poultry products, India , 2003 and 2004

Exports	2003		2004		% of World in 2004
Exports	Quantity (1,000 head)	Value (1,000$)	Quantity (1,000 head)	Value (1,000$)	Quantity (1,000 head)	Value (1,000$)
Live (head)
Chickens	2,045	493	1,480	430	0.2%	<0.1%
Ducks	2,050	670	1,609	636	14.9%	2.1%
Turkeys	30	5	0	0	0%	0%
Products (metric tons)
	Quantity (metric tons)	Value (1,000$)	Quantity (metric tons)	Value (1,000$)	% Quantity (metric tons)	% Value (1,000$)
Chicken Meat	4,473	4,422	1,404	1,407	<0.1%	<0.1%
Duck Meat	802	749	256	246	0.3	0.1
Turkey Meat	982	955	0	0	0.0	0.0
Chicken Eggs	42,319	29,912	48,582	37,416	4.7%	2.9%

Source: United Nations FAO

What are the US imports of poultry or poultry products from India ?

US imports of poultry products from India during 2005 consisted of bird and feather parts with a value of $84,000. In 2005, no prepared or preserved poultry meat was imported from India . A small amount of prepared or preserved poultry meat was imported in 2004 with a value of $5,000. No live bird imports were reported for 2004 and 2005.

The US does not consider India free of Newcastle disease; therefore, exports of commercial poultry and poultry products to the US are restricted. In addition, following the report of H5N1 avian influenza in India, APHIS Veterinary Services placed a temporary ban on the U.S. import of poultry and commercial shipments of live birds, hatching eggs, and unprocessed avian products from India. The ban includes shipments currently on the water. Processed avian products from India must be accompanied by a VS import permit and government certification that the products were treated according to APHIS requirements. Pet and performing birds originating in the US will be allowed to return to the US upon entering one of three USDA quarantine centers for 30 days.

Table 3: U.S. imports of animal products from India , 2004 and 2005

Product	2004		2005
	Quantity (kg)	$ Value (U.S. dollars)	Quantity (kg)	$ Value (U.S. dollars)
Bird skins and other feather parts and down	Not available	14,000	Not available	84,000
Prepared or preserved poultry meat	1,531	5,000	0	0

Source: World Trade Atlas

What are the Canadian or Mexican imports of poultry or poultry products from India ?

In 2005, Canada did not import any live poultry but did import articles of down and feathers used for stuffing valued at 5,000 Canadian dollars. Mexico did not import any live poultry or poultry products from India in 2005.

What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the US from India ?

In 2004, 308,845 India residents arrived via plane from India . As part of APHIS-PPQ’s agriculture quarantine inspection monitoring, 11,666 air passengers from India were sampled for items of agricultural interest in fiscal year 2004. No passengers were found to be carrying poultry items of interest.

Sources: Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, US Department of Commerce, USDA APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection databases, Bureau of Transportation Statistics

CEI’s plans for follow up:

At this time, CEI will continue to monitor this situation, but has no plans to issue additional reports. If you need more information or if you want to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message, or contact Judy Akkina (970) 494-7324.