... without bio-security measures

Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - Poultry farmers, who refuse to observe bio-security measures on their farms, would henceforth not be paid any compensation in case of an avian influenza outbreak, Mr Ernest Debrah, Minister of Food and Agriculture, warned on Tuesday. He said although the Government paid compensation totalling about 1.4 billion cedis for 27,356 birds that were destroyed as part of the control measures and those that died during the last outbreak, it would no longer pay compensation on a wholesale basis again. "Compensation would only be paid to farmers, whose poultry are attacked although they observed all the bio-security measures," he said at the opening of a three-day regional simulation workshop for Anglophone West African countries for control of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu).

The workshop with participants from Ghana, The Gambia and Sierra Leone is an experience sharing one with a comprehensive view of what it takes from human and financial resources to deal with an outbreak. It is being organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) with support form USAID.

Ghana's success story in dealing with this year's outbreak would be the main topic for discussion.

Mr Debrah said staff of the Veterinary Services Directorate had started training poultry farmers on the importance of bio-security on their farms and would continue until all poultry farmers were reached. "After the training, compensation will not be paid to farmers, who do not observe bio-security on their farms in case of any future outbreak," he said.

Mr Debrah said despite the lifting of the quarantine restrictions, the public was reminded that Avian Influenza was still present on the globe and in the West African Sub-Region.

"It is, therefore, very important for all poultry farmers to continue to ensure maximum bio-security on their farms so as to prevent the entry of the virus onto their farms." l The Minister reminded the public that the importation of live birds and all poultry products from infected countries was still banned. He called on the security agencies, especially those along the country's borders, to continue to be vigilant and ensure that live birds or poultry products did not enter the country.

Mr Debrah urged the Ghana Poultry Development Board to set standards for the industry so that it could contain any outbreak. He said it was heart warming that the FAO and USAID had recognised the professionalism of those involved in the control of the outbreak in Ghana and chose to hold the workshop in Ghana for a chance to share such experiences.

Mr Edouard K. Tapsoba, FAO Representative in Ghana, said a desktop simulation was a first step towards a good preparedness and it should be complemented by field exercises and by real time alert exercises. Vigilance, he said, was still a key point to prevent any outbreaks. Dr Mensah Agyen Frempong, Director, Veterinary Services, who chaired the function, said diseases were no respecter of boundaries hence the need for all to be alert at all time. He reminded the public to report any unusual deaths of birds to the nearest Agriculture Office or Veterinary office. A similar exercise has been held in Bamako, Mali, for Francophone countries.