Avian flu threatens South African farming venture
Following the outbreak of avian flu and the subsequent culling of 1,300 ostriches last week in
Although the ostriches involved have shown no symptoms of the disease, antibodies were discovered when the animals were tested by the Department of Agriculture. The positive test results have led to the culling of the birds, but as they are not actually suffering from the disease, the farmers will receive no compensation for the loss.
The managing director of the Salem Agriculture Business, Martin Fick, says he has appealed to the government for compensation, as he claims the losses will have far-reaching consequences in the industry. Fick states that not only the farmers would suffer, but there would be a knock-on effect to the local abattoir, and skin and meat processing plants, leading to the loss of hundreds of jobs.
