040208 USA Critical of Poultry Ban by Asian Countries

Greenwood, DE - US agriculture leaders have criticized some Asian countries for banning American poultry imports because of fears over bird flu.

This follows the discovery of Avian Influenza on two farms in Delaware.

Over 72,000 birds have been culled in the state to limit the damage to the multi-billion dollar poultry industry and officials insist US chicken is safe

Greenwood, Delaware is a small town with a big problem.

In this quiet corner of rural America, the poultry business rules the roost - accounting for the majority of the country's chicken industry.

But the recent outbreak of bird flu on two farms here has thrust this usually sleepy area into the international spotlight.

Journalist Ronald McCarther said: "The comments I keep getting from farmers and agribusiness people are they're scared to death because the poultry industry and the agri-industry are king in this area.

"It's the number one business in western Sussex county and although it hasn't really hit hard, there's only been one farm, because of the restrictions and the quarantine and because of the potential impact, I've had one farmer who told me this has the potential of shutting down the agricultural business on the peninsula."

In happier times, the sounds of chickens would have been heard across the state.

But with the slaughter of tens of thousands of birds, there is now only silence.

Some 80 farms within a six-mile radius have now been quarantined to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza, and the local economy is feeling the pinch.

State officials accuse importers of Delaware poultry, including Japan and Singapore, of going too far in banning US chicken.

"The rest of the United States is clear of Avian Influenza. There is no reason for our trading partners to ban the importation of poultry into their countries and we think that is very unfortunate and hopefully they'll realize the products coming from here are safe," said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Scuse.

The flu strain found here is different from the one that has spread to the human population in Vietnam and Tailand, but officials are taking no chances.

This farm became the second to test positive for the disease

And Greenwood has become ground zero in the battle against bird flu

"We're told the quicker you react to this, the easier and faster you will be able to get the disease under control. So we reacted as quickly as we possibly could have reacted. Only time will tell whether we've isolated it. But we'll only know in the coming days and weeks," said Mr Scuse.

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