June 22, 2006

Tyson increases testing of chickens for bird flu to ensure safety

Tyson has increased bird flu testing on its chickens by 5 times, conducting 15,000 tests weekly for the disease.

Heeding animal experts' warning that bird flu may reach the US soon, Tyson, like other poultry companies, has increased its testing for bird flu.

Every Tyson flock is tested before it leaves the farm. Results need to come back negative before the chickens are sent to the processing plant. The flock would be destroyed and other biomedical safety steps taken if bird flu was found.

Tyson was doing tests for decades well before it became popular, said Leonard Brooks, the supervisor for the serology lab.

Tyson Foods complex in Wilkesboro, where its laboratory is located, produces more chicken than any other Tyson processing plant in the US.

Earlier this year, Tyson joined other chicken companies in a comprehensive testing programme by the National Chicken Council using procedures approved by the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

The enclosed, climate-controlled chicken houses is a big difference in how chickens are raised, compared to the free ranging chickens in Asia where bird-flu outbreaks have occurred.

Procedures are also in place detailing the actions to be taken if bird flu is detected.