(aka bird flu, avian flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic.
Strains of avian influenza virus may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and humans. However, wild fowl act as natural asymptomatic carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. Avian influenza virus spreads in the air and in manure and there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.

Diagnosis

How to Recognise Avian Influenza
What to look for

* Ruffled feathers
* Soft-shelled eggs
* Depression and droopiness
* Sudden drop in egg production
* Loss of appetite
* Cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb
* Edema and swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
* Green diarrhoea
* Blood-tinged discharge from nostrils
* Incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand
* Pin-point hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks)
* Respiratory distress
* Increased death losses in a flock
* Sudden death
* Nasal discharges

Poultry Vaccination as a strategy for controlling AI in commercial birds

Outbreaks of avian influenza in the poultry industry cause devastating economic losses and is generally controlled through extensive culling of infected birds. Alternative strategies also use vaccination as a supplementary control measure during avian influenza outbreaks.
Advantages of Vaccination

* Vaccination reduces susceptibility to infection.
* A higher dose of virus is necessary to infect the vaccinated birds.
* Vaccinated birds shed less virus.
- Decreased contamination of the environment.
- Decreased risk of human infection
* Used strategically vaccination compliments a stamping out strategy by slowing/stopping the spread of the virus

Biosecurity

Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) is a potentially devastating disease, predominantly of chickens and turkeys, although the virus can also affect game birds (pheasants, partridge and quail), ratites (ostrich and emu), psittacine and passerine birds.
Avian Influenza is caused by an orthomyxovirus, or influenza virus and can survive for considerable lengths of time outside of the host and birds are infected through contact with other birds, mechanical vectors such as vehicles and equipment and personnel travelling between farms, markets and abattoirs.

Precautionary requirements include cleaning and disinfection of premises and the establishment of a Biosecurity barrier to help prevent spread of disease is essential.

Source: The Poultry Site

But a poultry industry spokeswoman says bacteria levels in the 1 million-acre watershed are no greater than they are in the state’s other rivers and streams where poultry waste isn’t applied.

“You should understand there is a chance you’re going to get sick, and the sickness you’ll get will be very similar to food poisoning,” Edmondson warned would-be visitors next year to the watershed in an interview with The Associated Press. “That’s what the EPA tells us and that’s what our research tells us.

“The human health effects and dangers are still very real and we remain very concerned about them,” he said.

In September, a federal judge denied Oklahoma’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the poultry companies from dumping the bird waste in the watershed.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell wrote then that Oklahoma “has not yet met its burden of proving that bacteria in the waters of the IRW are caused by the application of poultry litter rather than by other sources, including cattle manure and human septic systems.”

Oklahoma is planning to appeal the ruling to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

Edmondson sued the companies in 2005, accusing them of treating Oklahoma’s rivers like open sewers.

Companies named in the 2005 complaint include Tyson Foods Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cal-Maine Foods Inc., Cargill Inc., Cargill Turkey Production L.L.C., George’s Inc., George’s Farms Inc., Peterson Farms Inc., Simmons Foods Inc., Cal-Maine Farms Inc. and Willow Brook Foods Inc.

While gathering evidence for the pollution case, which figures to go to trial later in 2009, Edmondson said the state “discovered the excessive land application of poultry waste could be a danger to public health,” and argued in court for the injunction earlier this year.

Edmondson had requested an injunction by this year’s spring rains, arguing that bacteria found the waste could pose a health threat to the 155,000 people who recreate in the river valley annually.

September’s ruling disappointed many environmentalists, who hoped a damaged ecosystem could begin to heal.

“There’s going to be motions to stall this thing for a long time, and who knows how long until the two sides get together,” worried Kurt Robinson, president of the nonprofit group Save the Illinois River. “The pollution’s coming from somewhere, and it’s not coming from a pipeline from hell or some other planet.”

Tulsa attorney Gerald Hilsher, chairman of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, said if the state loses its lawsuit and voluntary efforts don’t work to help the ecosystem, “I think we’re going to have to change the name of our commission and our law to the Oklahoma Un-scenic Rivers Commission.”

The injunction could have halted a practice thousands of farmers employed for decades in the watershed, which occupies parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma: Taking the ammonia-reeking chicken waste — clumped bird droppings, bedding and feathers — and spreading it on their land as cheap fertilizer.

It also could have led to similar environmental lawsuits nationwide against the industry, which produced more than 48 billion pounds of chicken in 2006.

The Oklahoma-Arkansas region supplies roughly 2 percent of the nation’s poultry, and is one of several areas nationally where the industry is most concentrated. More than 1,800 poultry houses are in the watershed, most of them in Arkansas.

Jackie Cunningham, a spokeswoman for the poultry industry, said the companies remain confident in their legal case, and accused the state of trying “to do away with the poultry industry and the hardworking farmers in eastern Oklahoma.”

“There’s this nasty picture that’s been painted of farmers backing up trucks of litter and dumping it into the water,” Cunningham said. “I just don’t understand what (the attorney general) wants to happen and what he expects to gain from this.”

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: CNBC

http://containergardening.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/the-big-top-ten-organic-gardening-tips-google-beautiful-home-and-garden/
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By using only organic gardening supplies, your gardening tasks will be easier and more enjoyable.• Compost, an all natural soil amendment is made through the use of composters. Composters break down organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps to make a 100% organic, all natural soil additive. Composters come in varying shapes, sizes and designs. Research composters and choose one that meets your needs. Making your own natural compost is a great alternative to other organic gardening supplies you would ordinarily have to buy, and it’s free!

• Rain Barrels collect water from your roof and store it until needed. Rain water is softer and chemical free. Rain Barrels are great for keeping your plants healthy and saving water. Many rain barrels are made from reused food drums and recycled plastic, keeping with the commitment to sustainable living. You can collect approximately 675 gallons of rain off your roof from a single rain storm. Stored rain water supplies much needed moisture to your gardens during extreme dry spells where rationing is necessary.

• All Natural and organic fertilizers supplies much needed nutrients to plantings. Natural and organic fertilizers generally have a slow release so nutrients last over time. Natural and organic fertilizers such as liquefied worm poop and tea from composters, are among the top natural and organic fertilizers and an essential ingredient to your organic gardening supplies.

• Push reel mowers are a great way to be eco friendly! Push reel mowers use no gas or electric, only your own energy. Push reel mowers are lightweight, easy to use and gives your lawn that golf course look. Owning a push reel mower is an important part of organic gardening.

• Grow native plants. Native plants require less water. They are also naturally more insect and disease resistant than other plants. Healthy, lush gardens made from indigenous plants also make a natural home for birds.

• Container gardening is good for planting your favorite flowers and vegetables when space is limited! Use large containers such as steel buckets and wooden barrels for creative container gardening. Container gardens do not require a lot of organic material due to being enclosed. Many gardening containers such as green pots are all natural, made from all natural elements such as rice hulls and coconut fiber.

• Using only natural and organic gardening supplies such as Insecticidal Soap, Horticultural Oil or Organic Disease Control will keep your garden healthy, naturally. Organic gardening supplies leave no hazardous residue and break down naturally into the soil. Natural predators such as bats, praying mantis and ladybugs are great organic insect controls. Bat boxes are effective for keeping bats nearby and supplies shelter through the harsh winter months. Enjoying and benefiting from organic gardening is dependent upon the use of the highest quality organic gardening supplies.

• Mulch your flowerbeds and vegetable garden to retain moisture around plants. Mulch supplies your plants with much needed moisture throughout hot, sunny days. Mulching also keeps weeds away. Apply all natural worm poop fertilizer around plantings when mulching. Your organic garden will love you for it. • Create a bird habitat by placing bird houses, birdbaths and bird feeders in your yard. Birds are fun to watch and will control the insect population in a natural way. Pick a quiet section of your yard to keep a variety of birding supplies to attract birds of your choice. Bird food such as sunflower hearts and suet are great treats. • Whether you are working on your lawn, flowerbed or vegetable garden, have fun. Remember, all natural supplies will make organic gardening easier and more enjoyable. The following is a list of recommended all natural and organic gardening supplies: composter, rain barrels, organic fertilizers, push reel mower, natural gardening containers, birding supplies, natural homemade compost, These are the best equipment, tools and supplies for keeping your plants, turf and environment healthy.

Happy Gardening!

This article may be reproduced and/or distributed. This article was written by Mark & Vera Pappas, Co-owners of http://www.greennationgardens.com/?Click=23GreenNationGardens.com, suppliers of unique and eco-friendly garden supplies.

The poultry factory was saved from closure late last week when it was sold to two private investors Perwiaz Latif and Zahid Hussain, owners of Derby Poultry in the UK.

Most of the 200 full-time and part-time workers at the plant expressed disappointment yesterday morning when proposed pay terms and conditions were relayed to them by the new management.

Workers walked out of a meeting with the management yesterday morning, saying they could not accept the terms on offer.

Employees were offered the minimum wage of €8.66 per hour without overtime pay even though overtime would be required. They were also told that 25 jobs would be lost.

The offer was rejected by staff at the plant. The company returned with a revised offer of €9 per hour plus overtime of time and a quarter.

Employees were told that they could either apply for a job with the new company or take redundancy terms set out by the liquidator.

Davy Lane of the Siptu branch in Waterford said 98 workers had opted to remain on at the plant. An estimated 50 redundancies would occur.

Mr Lane said workers were disappointed at the initial wage rate which was offered.

“There was a lot of anger when they came out with the minimum wage. What we are saying is that the agreed new wage is a six-month transitional arrangement. Siptu will continue to represent staff at the plant.”

Talks are continuing for the factory’s delivery and maintenance staff.

Union officials say workers opted to stay on at lower rates rather than face into a difficult jobs market.

Siptu shop steward Mary Lenihan, who has been employed at the plant for nine years, said workers were in a no-win situation.

“There is not a lot of work around here. What is your option? Walk out of here and go on the dole for €197 a week? You couldn’t afford to walk away. We haven’t basically got a choice. It is your livelihood.”

The poultry processor went into liquidation on September 2nd with debts of between €7 million and €8 million.

© 2008 The Irish Times