October 19, 2004

Thailand To End Open-Field Duck Farming To Eliminate Bird Flu

The Thai government is determined to end all open-field duck farming by the coming winter so as to eradicate the avian influenza.

Ducks raised in open fields were a crucial source of the H5N1 strain of bird flu and it was feared that the poultry epidemic situation will deteriorate in the coming cold season.

"Research showed that these [field-reared] ducks and wild birds are likely to get sick and killed by the [bird-flu] virus that lies dormant in them in the hot season," according to Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang.

Ducks could carry the flu virus and be strong enough to remain alive. Meanwhile the virus could live in water sources for up to 30 days.

Therefore, the government decided to place all ducks in the kingdom to a closed system of breeding.

Under the plan, the government will buy out all open-field raised ducks, destroy their eggs and give farmers full compensation.

Having been hit by two rounds of bird flu outbreaks, Thailand's poultry industry has suffered great economic losses. At least 30 million birds had been culled in first outbreak and more than US $100 million has been spent for compensation.