May 15, 2006

Ireland to gas 6,000 chickens in bird-flu trial

Six thousand chickens are to be gassed Wednesday (May 17) in Ireland to test plans for a possible outbreak of bird flu.

CO2 gas would be pumped into poultry houses and authorities would ensure that the chickens would not end up in the food chain.

The operation would involve chickens past the end of their productive life and the farmer has been compensated, a Department of Agriculture spokesman said.

According to drawn-up procedures, in the event of an outbreak, firefighters would not be involved in administering CO2 to cull chickens. However, they would enter the poultry houses to measure remaining levels of the gas and verify that all poultry are dead.

The fire service is not taking part in this exercise, however. The Fire Officers' Association has instructed its members not to participate, saying the protocol as drawn up by the departments does not comply with standard operation procedures for a hazardous material incident.