U.S. will dispose of feed infected by bird flu
|
|
To help prevent the spread of bird flu, the Food and Drug Administration will draw up rules for the disposal of livestock feed that might carry avian influenza viruses, a U.S. official said on Thursday.
FDA also will develop tests for antiviral drug residues in poultry during fiscal 2007, which begins October 1, said Bruce Gellin, director of the National Vaccine Program Office at the Department of Health and Human Services.
If the agency moves forward with its proposed food and feed surveillance campaign it would use nearly half of the $30 million increase in funding that was requested for HHS’s base pandemic influenza program. The other half would be used to develop vaccines against the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
In written testimony, Gellin said FDA would develop tests for antiviral residues in poultry.
“The FDA will also develop and implement plans to contain and dispose of animal feed that has been or may be contaminated with avian flu agents,” Gellin told a House subcommittee.
Earlier in the day, the Agriculture Department’s chief economist told a Senate subcommittee that an outbreak of bird flu could have a comparatively small impact on the U.S. poultry industry. Sales could drop by $750 million out of a total $23 billion, said chief economist Keith Collins.
Print Version
Tell-a-Friend comments powered by Disqus
