"It�s gonna ruin my livelihood." Gov�t BF Plan

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Government's Plan For Dealing With Avian Flu May Hurt Farmers 

 WMDT 4/20/2006     

"It's gonna ruin my livelihood."

Ron Davis has raised chickens for 25 years. He knows if bird flu shows up in his flocks, the birds must be killed. But he doesn't like the government's latest strategy to fight the flu. 

Agricultural Department Head Ron DeHaven is saying if birds show signs of the flu, they'll be killed immediately, even before more detailed testing is finished.

"It's a panic pandemic. It's not really taken off, [but> they think it will. It doesn't really bother me. What bothers me is how it will effect ecomony, this scare tactic what it's gonna do to the industry," Davis said.

Davis says the pre-emptive killings will lead to one thing for farmers.

"Foreclosure, bankruptcy..." he said.

But the government officials are saying that won't be the case. If birds are killed to prevent the spread of avian influenza, the owners of the birds will be reimbursed for their loss. But on Delmarva, in most cases, industry companies are the owners. That leaves no money for farmers like Davis.

The Delmarva Poultry industry says local chicken producers also have their own plan for recouping losses from destroyed flocks.

On Tuesday, May 9th at 8, we'll be airing a 2-hour special called "An ABC Primetime Event: Fatal Contact: Bird Flu In America." 

http://www.wmdt.com/topstory/displaystory.asp?id=2145

Edited by Rick - April 20 2006 at 4:11pm

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: "It�s gonna ruin my livelihood." Gov�t BF Plan Posted: April 20 2006 at 4:11pm
	Government's Plan For Dealing With Avian Flu May Hurt Farmers WMDT 4/20/2006 "It's gonna ruin my livelihood." Ron Davis has raised chickens for 25 years. He knows if bird flu shows up in his flocks, the birds must be killed. But he doesn't like the government's latest strategy to fight the flu. Agricultural Department Head Ron DeHaven is saying if birds show signs of the flu, they'll be killed immediately, even before more detailed testing is finished. "It's a panic pandemic. It's not really taken off, [but> they think it will. It doesn't really bother me. What bothers me is how it will effect ecomony, this scare tactic what it's gonna do to the industry," Davis said. Davis says the pre-emptive killings will lead to one thing for farmers. "Foreclosure, bankruptcy..." he said. But the government officials are saying that won't be the case. If birds are killed to prevent the spread of avian influenza, the owners of the birds will be reimbursed for their loss. But on Delmarva, in most cases, industry companies are the owners. That leaves no money for farmers like Davis. The Delmarva Poultry industry says local chicken producers also have their own plan for recouping losses from destroyed flocks. On Tuesday, May 9th at 8, we'll be airing a 2-hour special called "An ABC Primetime Event: Fatal Contact: Bird Flu In America." http://www.wmdt.com/topstory/displaystory.asp?id=2145 Edited by Rick - April 20 2006 at 4:11pm

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 20 2006 at 4:25pm
	I am very sorry what this could do to Ron. At the end of the day...we are all in the same boat.

JaxMax Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: March 01 2006 Status: Offline Points: 801	Post Options Post Reply Quote JaxMax Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 20 2006 at 5:58pm
	Any Government Reimbursement should go to the actual Farmer first on a ratio of unemployment based upon his last filed tax return. Only after unemployment paid should excess go to owner. Call this the "Farmers Emergency Unemployment Act". Usually Farmers do not get unemployment since they are self employed. We do want to provide financial incentives to destroy chickens as ordered.
	He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.Proverbs 13:20, The Bible

redcloud Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Joined: March 08 2006 Status: Offline Points: 334	Post Options Post Reply Quote redcloud Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 20 2006 at 9:43pm
	Big farms are basically franchises of large corporations run by farmers onsite. Who do you think will have more clout in collecting reimbursement funds, Ron or Tyson?