Taiwan to require raising poultry indoors to prevent AI
Taiwan Council of Agriculture says poultry must be protected from migrating birds that may be carrying avian influenza
Effective in September, the government of Taiwan will require that all poultry be raised in enclosed spaces to help stop the spread of avian influenza.
According to a report from Far Eastern Agriculture, Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture is requiring that poultry not be raised outside in order to prevent contact with migratory birds that could spread the virus that has been responsible for decimating the country’s poultry farms. An estimated 860 farms have been hit by avian influenza in 2015, claiming about 4.17 million chickens, geese and ducks.
“The agriculture industry must adopt more modern techniques, such as the use of enclosed facilities on poultry farms, to stop the spread of the bird flu virus, said Chang Su-san, director general of the council’s bureau of animal and plant health inspection and quarantine.
A six-month grace period will be given to poultry farmers to comply with the new rules, but after the grace period ends, farmers will be subjected to fines that will be imposed by local governments.
Realizing that farmers will need to invest money for structures to help them comply with the new regulations, the Taiwan Council of Agriculture is offering loans at a concessionary interest of 1.5 percent.