June 28, 2005

Thai farmers temporarily allowed to raise free-range ducks
 

The Thai government has allowed farmers to extend their time period until this year's end to raise free-range ducks, even though this is now banned in order to control the spread of the bird flu virus.

The farmers had earlier protested that they had no money to invest in an alternative close system of farming.

After talks between both sides, the government temporarily compromised on this issue provided the farmers register their poultry with the authorities.

The ducks would be restricted to specific zones, with each zone covering three provinces.

If the ducks are transported out of their zone, the authorities would cull them without any compensation.

Farmers must improve their farms after the grace period expires at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, random checks would be carried out by the authorities on free-range ducks every two months for bird flu symptoms.