January 20, 2006

Turkey expects end to bird flu woes in three months

Turkey's poultry industry, whose sales have been halved since the country's bird flu outbreaks started, expects an increase in sales of up to 60 percent within three months and an end to the mayhem by the tourist season.

An official delegation of bird flu specialists from the United States has already started work in Ankara to jumpstart efforts to overcome the bird flu outbreak. The delegation will evaluate the situation and make suggestions as to what ways the US can give support to Turkey.

The Turkish Poultry Producers and Breeders Association is working jointly with the delegation to evaluate measures taken.

The US delegation includes specialists on animal and human health monitoring, laboratory capacity and public health communication from the US departments of Agriculture, Health and State. Turkish authorities are also working with international institutions such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

FAO is conducting research on how locals in rural areas can supplement their protein requirements if open-air poultry breeding is banned.