Sources of poultry reduced as avian flu advances
UK - Food processors now face the prospect of rising prices for poultry with the confirmation of avian influenza H5 virus in Romania and Turkey.The UK's Northern Foods, for one, has already blamed bird flu and the resulting supply problem for raising the price of the chicken meat it uses as an ingredient for its processed foods. The company said the avian flu has led the company to buy more expensive locally reared chicken
If the disease hits here the EU might have to cull entire flocks to stop the disease from spreading and infecting humans, raising not only a supply problem for food processors. They also face the prospect of a drop in consumption due to consumers fears, even though the virus cannot be transmitted to humans by eating poultry meat.
The European Commission yesterday stepped up control actions across the bloc, including the banning of imports of live birds, poultry meat and other poultry products from Romania. Imports of live birds from Turkey were banned since Monday following the finding of avian influenza there.
Imports of poultry from Russia and Kazakhstan were prohibited since August as the disease marches westward from Asia where it started. The disease, which kills all birds infected with the virus and 50 per cent of humans who catch it from contact with live animals, has the potential to wipe out entire stocks held by farmers.
Source: Food Production Daily
14 October 2005
1 minute read
