Kolkata, Feb 12: Animal Resources Development Minister Anisur Rahaman today said that the West Bengal Government has lifted the ban on sale and transport of poultry and poultry products from most areas of the State.

After a meeting to review the ban imposed on February 5, Rahaman said: "the ban was lifted considering that there was no fresh outbreak of bird flu".

"Poultry farming, however, could not be taken up in any of the affected notified areas in the next three months," he added.

Rahaman further said that the decision was taken after discussion with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Around 1.50 lakh poultry birds had died of avian influenza, while 38 lakh or over six percent of the total poultry in the State were culled.

A total 50 blocks in 16 out of the 19 districts had been affected by bird flu.

Rahaman said that culling operations had been completed in the affected areas.

Only Murshidabad and Birbhum District would continue to be under the ban as a precautionary measure.

Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, Health minister Suryakanta Mishra and secretaries of Finance, Health and ARD departments also attended the meeting. Representatives of poultry associations were also present at the meeting.

Earlier on February 5, the Health Minister had announced the banned on sale and transport of poultry and poultry products. It was then decided that the government would regularly check and monitor the health of 30 lakh people, who were either residents of affected areas, poultry owners or those involved in culling. (ANI)