Re: migratory birds and avian flu

Craig asked "So, does anyone know much about disease control measures in place when
it comes to the poultry industry in this country: I have questions about where the feed comes from, how this is assessed etc, let alone the fact that mass-scale poultry farms on the surface pose particular transmission risks because of the obvious - loads of birds in one relatively small space."

I am not an authority on the commercial poultry industry but am heavily involved on the hobbyist front, breeding and exhibiting poultry.

Feed is sourced domestically - the drought has seen dramatic increases in feed prices which has greatly reduced margins for many animal producers.  

In regards transmission risks, this is low.  Commercial farms have very high levels of bio-security, particularly in terms of Newcastles Disease and Avian Flu.  It is now recognised within the industry that the Mangrove Mountain Newcastle Disease outbreak that many more birds (ie poultry) were destroyed than was necessary to control this outbreak.

It is interesting, a year or so ago there was a lot of concern among hobbyists about Avian Flu and it's spread through wild birds.  There were articles in poultry magazines highlighting the threat and advising that wild birds should not have access to poultry.  I'm now hearing now reasoned discussions, some poultry people actually commenting that migratory birds bringing Avian Flu into Australia is not a high risk.  

When was the last time a Bar-headed Goose was seen in this country?  Scientists have been swabbing migratory waders in this country for over a decade (that I am aware of) and, as far as I know, haven't come up with one positive result.  Now, that Northern Shoveller that Alan Morris found .... where's my shotgun?

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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