# 316
In this follow up to my last blog entry, Indonesian authorities are now stating they will begin an aggressive program of backyard culling in an attempt to stop the spread of the H5N1 virus. This article, from the AP, outlines the plan:
Indonesia to slaughter backyard chickens
NINIEK KARMINI
Associated Press
JAKARTA — Indonesia plans to slaughter hundreds of thousands of backyard chickens over the next few weeks in a bid to stem a surge in human deaths from the H5N1 virus, the health minister and other officials said Wednesday.
Indonesia has recorded 61 deaths from bird flu, including four in the last week.
Siti Fadilah Supari said local governments would issue regulations banning the rearing of poultry in residential areas, signaling a more forceful approach in the nation worst hit by the virus.
She said owners of chickens, ducks and other fowl would receive compensation of about $1.50 a bird, with the main focus in the capital, Jakarta, and densely populated areas to the west where most of Indonesia's human infections have occurred.
This article goes on to elaborate on the problems the Indonesian government has had in the past trying to eliminate the home raising of poultry, and confusion over the timetable of when this new cull would begin.
Reportedly, Ms. Supari has stated the new cull would begin next week, while the Governor has stated residents of Jakarta would have two-weeks before the culling begins.
In another reporting of this story, this time from AFP, residents are told they have until Feburary 1st to dispose of their livestock themselves (consume, slaughter, or sell), otherwise the governement will come in and do it.
Jakarta bans backyard poultry from February 1 to fight bird flu
"As of today, 17 January 2007, until 31 January 2007, people are asked to voluntarily eliminate their pet fowls but by consuming it in the proper way... selling them, or destroying them," Sutiyoso said after leading a meeting on bird flu at the city hall.
"As of 1 February 2007 it will be forbidden to keep birds in residential environments," he added.
He said people who destroyed their poultry would be eligible for compensation of 12,500 rupiah (about 1.4 dollars) per bird.
The governor's decree covers chicken, ducks, swans, quails and pigeons.
Other birds kept as pets or for a hobby as well as those raised for research purposes would still be allowed but owners would have to obtain a certificate, issued free of charge by the animal husbandry office.
Authorities would conduct regular inspections and destroy any birds kept without the proper certificate, he said, adding that after January 31, no compensation would be paid for the slaughtered birds.
This is going to be a very difficult program to implement, and is bound to be very traumatic for those whose livestock is involved. The compensation will help, of course, but it’s a one-time deal. It won’t make up for the lack of meat and eggs on the table a month from now.
For anyone who doubts that the avian flu isn’t a crisis, simply ask the residents of Jakarta, who are now being forced to choose between having food on their tables, and stopping the spread of the virus.
