Panjim, Jan. 13 -- Amidst the scare of bird flu in the country, which has spread its tentacles in at least ten states in India, Goa as a precautionary step has banned the "import" of poultry from neighbouring states, particularly Maharashtra and Karnataka.

According to the President of the All Goa Poultry Association, Jaikrishna Naik, about 1.2 lakh kilograms of chicken is consumed in Goa every day, which means that about 60-80,000 birds are imported from neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra on a daily basis.

"More than 95% of poultry comes to Goa from Belgaum and Sindhudurg district of Karnataka and Maharashtra, as Goa does not have its own production or poultry farm. The ban on import will certainly affect the market very badly and ...