Factory Farms Blamed for Spread of Bird Flu - FLU ON INDUSTRIAL POULTRY FARMS NOT BACKYARD BIRDS ENS

Factory farming and the international poultry trade are largely responsible for the spread of bird flu, and wild birds are being unfairly blamed for the disease, a new report says. The deadly H5N1 virus has proliferated through exports of live birds and the use of chicken droppings as fertilizer.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/022706HA.shtml

--------

Big Medicine's Malignant Growth

Some medical professionals say the only way to rid ourselves of medicine's vast piles of waste is to shrink the health care industry itself. Are they heretics or visionaries?

http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/022706HC.shtml

--------

REPORT BLAMES FLU ON INDUSTRIAL POULTRY FARMS NOT BACKYARD BIRDS ENS February 27, 2006

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2006/2006-02-27-01.asp

BARCELONA, Spain - Small-scale poultry farming and wild birds are being unfairly blamed for the bird flu crisis now affecting large parts of the world, according to a new report from an international nongovernmental organization based in Barcelona. The report says initiatives are multiplying to ban outdoor poultry, squeeze out small producers and restock farms with genetically modified chickens.

Instead, the transnational poultry industry is the root of the bird flu problem, says the report issued today by the organization GRAIN http://www.grain.org/ , which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge.

"Everyone is focused on migratory birds and backyard chickens as the problem," says Devlin Kuyek of GRAIN. "But they are not effective vectors of highly pathogenic bird flu. The virus kills them, but is unlikely to be spread by them."

Kuyek says the spread of industrial poultry production and trade networks have created ideal conditions for the emergence and transmission of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Once inside densely populated factory farms, viruses can rapidly become lethal and amplify, says Kuyek. "Air thick with viral load from infected farms is carried for kilometers, while integrated trade networks spread the disease through many carriers: live birds, day-old-chicks, meat, feathers, hatching eggs, eggs, chicken manure and animal feed." Chicken feces and bedding from poultry factory floors are common ingredients in animal feed.

By contrast, GRAIN argues that backyard poultry farms watch their birds closely and know when they are sick, but a sick bird or two amongst thousands in industrial poultry operations are much more difficult to detect.

Not an idle pastime for landowners, backyard poultry raising is crucial to food security and farming income for hundreds of millions of rural poor in Asia and elsewhere, providing a third of the protein intake for the average rural household, the GRAIN report states.

Although wild birds are can become ill with H5N1 bird flu, BirdLife International http://www.birdlife.net/ says if wild birds have any role in spreading the virus, it is minor compared to other mechanisms.

BirdLife, a global partnership of conservation organizations in more than
100 countries, says, "All the evidence suggests that H5N1 is highly lethal to migratory wild bird species, and kills them quickly; that infected migrants cannot move long distances; and that the virus is most likely to be contracted locally, close to the site of deaths."

"The current focus on migrating wild birds is misplaced and a potentially dangerous diversion of energy, effort and resources. Attempts to cull wild birds are even more misguided -- the target is wrong and the approach is completely ineffective," BirdLife says.

Preventive measures need to concentrate on better bio-security, says BirdLife -- surveillance and testing of poultry, controlling the movements and sale of poultry, poultry products and caged birds, ensuring that all poultry manure used in aquaculture and agriculture is properly treated prior to application, and stepping up national and international efforts to control the illegal trade in poultry, poultry products and wild birds.

Nearly all rural households in Asia keep at least a few chickens for meat, eggs and fertilizer and they are often the only livestock that poor farmers can afford.

GRAIN says backyard birds are critical to diversified farming methods, just as the genetic diversity of poultry on small farms is critical to the long-term survival of poultry farming in general.

Before the Asian bid flu crisis, the GRAIN report points out, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization promoted the benefits of backyard poultry for the rural poor and biodiversity and ran programs encouraging it.

But today, with the H5N1 strain at the gates of Western Europe, it is more common to hear the FAO speak of the risks of backyard farming.

The GRAIN report notes that in Malaysia, the mortality rate from H5N1 among village chicken is only five precent, indicating that the virus has a hard time spreading among small scale chicken flocks.

H5N1 outbreaks in Laos, which is surrounded by infected countries, have only occurred in the nation's few factory farms, which are supplied by Thai hatcheries. The only cases of bird flu in backyard poultry, which account for over 90 percent of Laos' production, occurred next to the factory farms.

"The evidence we see over and over again, from the Netherlands in 2003 to Japan in 2004 to Egypt in 2006, is that lethal bird flu breaks out in large scale industrial chicken farms and then spreads," Kuyek says.

The Nigerian outbreak earlier this year began at a single factory farm, owned by a Cabinet minister, distant from hotspots for migratory birds but known for importing unregulated hatchable eggs.

In India, local authorities say that H5N1 emerged and spread from a factory farm owned by the country's largest poultry company, Venkateshwara Hatcheries.

"A burning question is why governments and international agencies, like the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are doing nothing to investigate how the factory farms and their byproducts, such as animal feed and manure, spread the virus," says Kuyek.

Instead, he says, they are using the bird flu crisis as an opportunity to further industrialize the poultry sector.

Bans on outdoor poultry have been imposed at certain times or in specified locations in -- Austria, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said as early as March 2004 that backyard poultry production might pose difficulties in controlling the spread of the H5N1 viral strain of bird flu.

In several countries experiencing outbreaks, up to 80 percent of poultry are produced on small farms and backyard holdings in rural areas, where poultry range freely, said WHO. In China, 60 percent of the country¹s estimated 13.2 billion chickens are raised on small farms in close proximity to humans and domestic animals, including pigs.

"This situation makes implementation of strict control measures, essential to the control of previous outbreaks, extremely difficult," WHO said. "These control measures ­ including bird-proof, ecologically controlled housing, treatment of water supplies, disinfection of all incoming persons, equipment, and vehicles, prevention of contact with insects, rodents, and other mechanical vectors ­ cannot be applied on small rural farms and backyard holdings."

In a Fact Sheet issued this month, WHO explained why H5N1 outbreaks in backyard poultry flocks are of concern.

"Apart from being difficult to control, outbreaks in backyard flocks are associated with a heightened risk of human exposure and infection," WHO said. "These birds usually roam freely as they scavenge for food and often mingle with wild birds or share water sources with them. Such situations create abundant opportunities for human exposure to the virus, especially when birds enter households or are brought into households during adverse weather, or when they share areas where children play or sleep."

"Poverty exacerbates the problem," WHO explains because when even a single chicken cannot be wasted, people eat poultry when deaths or signs of illness appear in flocks.

This practice carries a high risk of exposure to the virus during slaughtering, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry meat for cooking, but has proved difficult to change, says the international health organization.

Because deaths of birds in backyard flocks are common, especially under adverse weather conditions, owners may not interpret deaths or signs of illness in a flock as a signal of avian influenza and a reason to alert the authorities, WHO has found.

"This tendency may help explain why outbreaks in some rural areas have smouldered undetected for months. The frequent absence of compensation to farmers for destroyed birds further works against the spontaneous reporting of outbreaks and may encourage owners to hide their birds during culling operations."

GRAIN says the owners of backyard poultry flocks are being blamed unfairly. "Farmers are losing their livelihoods, native chickens are being wiped out and some experts say that we're on the verge of a human pandemic that could kill millions of people," Kuyek says. "When will governments realize that to protect poultry and people from bird flu, we need to protect them from the global poultry industry?"

The GRAIN report quotes Louise Fresco, assistant director-general of FAO as saying, "The backyard chicken is the big problem and the fight against bird flu must be waged in the backyard of the world's poor."

Kuyek calls this policy reversal, "a reckless mistake," and asserts, "When it comes to bird flu, diverse small-scale poultry farming is the solution, not the problem."

The report, "Fowl play: The poultry industry's central role in the bird flu crisis," is online at:

http://www.grain.org/go/birdflu

------------

FACTORY FARM, MEAT & FUR PRODUCTION ARTICLES:

DOCUMENTARY: LINKTV TO AIR 'THE WITNESS' (2/25/2006): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/10871

DOG & CAT FUR FROM CHINA (2/2/2006): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/10765

ANIMAL AGRICULTURE GREATEST SOURCE OF GLOBAL WARMING (8/30/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9833

SCIENTISTS AIM FOR LAB-GROWN MEAT (8/13/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9733

THE VEGAN VIXENS (8/8/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9696

CUT GLOBAL WARMING BY BECOMING VEGETARIAN (7/19/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9591

LIVING ON THE HUNDRED-MILE DIET (7/17/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9581

LAB BURGERS (7/8/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9529

AL-JAZEERA SHUNS ANIMAL-ABUSE AD (6/6/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9297

NEW FACTORY FARM RULES DRAW FIRE (2/15/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/8861

NUMBER OF LAND-BASED ANIMALS KILLED FOR FOOD IN U.S. (2/3/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/8807

MCDONALD'S STUDYING MORE HUMANE CHICKEN SLAUGHTER (12/31/2004): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/8639

PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE FIRST TEN MONTHS (12/15/2004); http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/8549

'A TRIBE OF HEART' DOCUMENTARIES (6/26/2004): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/7474

TURKEYS (11/25/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6314

THE MEATRIX (11/10/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6224

CHICKENS (11/4/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6208

BEEF INDUSTRY'S DIRTY SECRET (6/2/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/5452

ANIMAL RIGHTS LEADER WANTS TO BE BARBECUED (5/6/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/5248

MCDONALD'S GOING ORGANIC? (1/27/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/4298

CLONED FOOD COULD REACH SHELVES BY 2003 (9/16/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3682

FEEDLOT PERILS OUTPACE REGULATION (8/20/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3595

READER FEEDBACK ON VEGGIE DIETS (8/4/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3518

SHOULD WE ALL BE VEGETARIANS? (7/10/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3392

PIG FARMS AWASH IN STENCH & CRUELTY (7/7/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3369

FACTORY FARMING: MECHANIZED MADNESS (7/6/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3367

RUNAWAY COW HAS BEEN CAPTURED (2/26/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/2800

RUNAWAY COW BECOMES FOLK HERO (2/25/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/2774

SLAUGHTERHOUSE CAM (4/5/2001): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/1340

BUTCHERED ANIMALS: 'THEY DIE PIECE BY PIECE' (4/10/2001): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/1358

MOTHER DUCK LEADS OFFICER TO STUCK DUCKLINGS (7/13/2001): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/1669

BURGERS, PAIN AND SLAUGHTER (6/26/2000): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/433

..............

MAD COW DISEASE ARTICLES:

USDA COVERED UP LATEST MAD COW CASE FOR SEVEN MONTHS (7/1/2005): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/9485

EXPERT WARNED THAT MAD COW WAS IMMINENT (12/25/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6483

INTERVIEW WITH 'MAD COW U.S.A.' AUTHOR (12/23/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6473

USDA REFUSED TO RELEASE MAD COW RECORDS (12/23/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6472

UN URGES SWIFT ACTION AGAINST MAD COW DISEASE (1/30/2001): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/1103

MAD COW DISEASE (11/7/2000): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/800

..............

VEGETARIAN-RELATED POSTS:

'FLEXITARIANS': VEGETARIANS WHO EAT MEAT (3/19/2004): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6935

READER FEEDBACK ON VEGGIE DIETS (8/4/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3518

MORE ON THE DARK SIDE OF STRICT VEGGIE DIETS (7/14/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3413

SHOULD WE ALL BE VEGETARIANS? (7/10/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3392

............

ARTICLES ON 'CANNED HUNTING':

THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S CALLOUSNESS TOWARDS EARTH'S ANIMALS (2/25/2006): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/10870

DICK CHENY & 'CANNED HUNTING' (12/11/2003): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/6410

GAME RANCHES FOLLOW UP (5/7/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3120

GAME RANCHES (5/6/2002): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhnenews/message/3114

------------

FACTORY FARM & ANIMAL PROTECTION LINKS:

GRACE FACTORY FARM PROJECT: http://www.factoryfarm.org/

THE SIERRA CLUB ON FACTORY FARMS: http://www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ON FACTORY FARMS: http://www.foe.org/factoryfarms/index.html

FARM SANCTUARY: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/

FUR IS DEAD (PETA SITE) http://www.furisdead.com/

JLODOWN (PETA SITE) http://www.jlodown.com/

CARE FOR THE WILD INTERNATIONAL http://www.careforthewild.com/

SWISS ANIMAL PROTECTION (SAP) http://www.animal-protection.net/

THE HUMAN SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES http://www.hsus.org/

SHOPPING GUIDE TO COMPASSIONATE CLOTHING http://www.caringconsumer.com/


Informant: NHNE

World-News

Independent Media Source

User Status

Du bist nicht angemeldet.

Suche

 

Aktuelle Beiträge

Trump and His Allies...
https://www.commondreams.o rg/views/2022/06/21/trump- and-his-allies-are-clear-a nd-present-danger-american -democracy?utm_source=dail y_newsletter&utm_medium=Em ail&utm_campaign=daily_new sletter_op
rudkla - 22. Jun, 05:09
The Republican Party...
https://truthout.org/artic les/the-republican-party-i s-still-doing-donald-trump s-bidding/?eType=EmailBlas tContent&eId=804d4873-50dd -4c1b-82a5-f465ac3742ce
rudkla - 26. Apr, 05:36
January 6 Committee Says...
https://truthout.org/artic les/jan-6-committee-says-t rump-engaged-in-criminal-c onspiracy-to-undo-election /?eType=EmailBlastContent& eId=552e5725-9297-4a7c-a21 4-53c8c51615a3
rudkla - 4. Mär, 05:38
Georgia Republicans Are...
https://www.commondreams.o rg/views/2022/02/14/georgi a-republicans-are-delibera tely-attacking-voting-righ ts
rudkla - 15. Feb, 05:03
Now Every Day Is January...
https://www.commondreams.o rg/views/2022/02/07/now-ev ery-day-january-6-trump-ta rgets-vote-counters
rudkla - 8. Feb, 05:41

Archiv

Februar 2006
Mo
Di
Mi
Do
Fr
Sa
So
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Status

Online seit 7079 Tagen
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 22. Jun, 05:09

Credits


Afghanistan
Animal Protection - Tierschutz
AUFBRUCH für Bürgerrechte, Freiheit und Gesundheit
Big Brother - NWO
Brasilien-Brasil
Britain
Canada
Care2 Connect
Chemtrails
Civil Rights - Buergerrechte - Politik
Cuts in Social Welfare - Sozialabbau
Cybermobbing
Datenschutzerklärung
Death Penalty - Todesstrafe
Depleted Uranium Poisoning (D.U.)
Disclaimer - Haftungsausschluss
... weitere
Profil
Abmelden
Weblog abonnieren