The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Bird flu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Bird flu

The outbreak of bird flu is alarming and should be handled on a priority basis. Equally disturbing are some reports suggesting that deaths due to the virus occurred earlier and that some large-scale hatcheries allegedly hid the evidence by quietly burying the birds.

We need stringent laws that require hatcheries to report any abnormalities.

J. Premachandran,
Chennai

* * *

This refers to the report that poultry farmers are unhappy over the compensation offered per bird. Poultry farming is a business and losses are an occupational hazard. The farmers should have insured against losses.

It is certainly not desirable to pay compensation from the exchequer, to which a large number of vegetarians also contribute.

Wg. Cdr. V.B. Purang,
Secunderabad

* * *

The photograph (Feb. 21) which shows chicken being culled in Navapur, Maharashtra, is disturbing. One can see chicken strutting around the pit awaiting a live burial. Is there no better or humane way to slaughter these innocent creatures?

V. Shrinivasan,
Bangalore

* * *

Agreed the birds had to be killed. But that is no reason to bury live birds in mass graves.

Let not the enormity of the task prevent compassionate handling of the birds.

F. Merlin Flower,
Chennai

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