New Poultry Cull 12th March

New poultry cull ordered as avian flu strikes again

Published on Mar 12, 2004

New poultry cull ordered as avian flu strikes again

Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob yesterday admitted that he had ordered the slaughter of poultry in areas with confirmed new outbreaks of avian flu.

The bird-flu reports would not likely cause Japan to reconsider its decision to resume purchases of heat-treated Thai chicken, he said.

"Things should have been settled now. We have already ordered the culling and livestock officials are closely monitoring the situation," Newin said.

Bird flu may have reappeared in Nakhon Ratchasima and Maha Sarakham, and has been verified as reappearing in Chiang Rai.

Yesterday, a farmer in Chiang Mai's Muang district reported the deaths of 200 chickens and ducks at his farm.

Livestock officials took samples of the birds to determine the cause of death. "We should know the results next week," provincial livestock chief Thira Anantiworapanya said.

The farmer's remaining flock was culled.

Thailand declared itself free of bird flu on Monday, saying no active cases had been reported in poultry since February 25.

Agriculture Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the government has already paid more than Bt37.6 million to farmers who had to destroy their fowl.

About 6,200 farmers in Chiang Rai, Angthong, Nakhon Ratchasi-ma, Sing Buri, Ratchaburi and Phet-chaburi have already been compensated. They will also receive assistance to restock their coops.

"Compensation will reach more farmers in other provinces soon," he said.

Supitcha Jantapa

Saowalak Pumyaem

THE NATION