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Current Thoughts on Bird Flu

by Sally Herdman from Clyro Hill Farm

We receive regular updates on preparing for this threat from DEFRA. As we are organic we are also being well supported by our certifying body Organic Farmers & Growers. They send further information as soon as it becomes available. We do get the feeling that this threat is being over publicised so that if there is an outbreak, the government won’t be accused of not having taken action quickly as in BSE case and Foot & Mouth.

DEFRA stress bio-security i.e. Cleansing all traffic on and off the farm and restricting visitors to our poultry. They have not so far insisted that poultry be shut in. As an organic enterprise this would be difficult for us to do and maintain the organic status of our poultry.

OF&G and other organic bodies have outlined plans to enable us to maintain organic status if poultry has to be shut in. It is suggested that we erect runs around the outside of the poultry houses, which are enclosed with fine mesh. This would stop any wild birds, vermin etc having contact with our stock. Rather like them having their own conservatories!! We would also be able to maintain our organic status for a number of weeks. The cost to a small enterprise like ours is another matter, but so far we haven’t had too many suggestions on how to meet that!!

I also think we should keep this in perspective. The bird flu threat is quite small. In the 4 years it has been spreading from the East, 90 people have died from it. Notably most of those are from countries, which have poorer health and sanitation than we do in the UK. Here we have a relatively healthy population and a low incidence of AIDS and other autoimmune diseases, which lowers resistance to viruses. I don’t mean that to sound as if I don’t care what’s going on in the rest of the world!

It has not yet been proven that the virus mutates and jumps species. Therefore those most at risk of getting the virus are those in direct contact with affected poultry. I do not consider it to be a great national threat at present.

My understanding is that the virus is a lesser risk than salmonella and even if someone had poultry meat, which was infected, proper cooking would kill the virus as it does salmonella.

At the moment we are remaining positive about the situation. After all it isn’t inevitable, rather dependent on the migratory patterns of wild birds. So we do have an action plan, but don’t spend all our days worrying about it yet.

I really hope I won’t be reading these words and regretting my flippancy in a few months to come!

If you would like to find out more about organic chicken farming at Clyro Hill Farm you can visit their website www.clyrohillfarm.co.uk or take a look at September 2005's In Focus article on Chicken Farming from our sister website www.livingethically.co.uk