There are currently no risks to the food chain in Malta in the event of any possible outbreak of the avian flu virus. This information was the basic message gleaned throughout a press conference held by the Food and Veterinary Division of the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry held at the Abattoir in Albertown, Marsa, yesterday.

Dr Philip von Brockdorff, permanent secretary at the ministry, explained that all the necessary measures are being taken to protect the country against a possible outbreak of avian flu. He stressed however that there are absolutely no risks to the food chain in the event of any outbreak as there are proper contingency measures that were already in place.

He explained that inspections in chicken and poultry farms were a matter of routine but these have been stepped up of late so that the system would be absolutely fool proof.

There is also a phone line which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and which is intended to provide information for all those who wish to learn more on the avian flu question. The number is 7903 3044.

Dr Mireille Vella, director at the Food and Veterinary Regulatory Division, then gave some technical details on avian flu. She said that this usually consists of two types which are classified as low and high risk. Any outbreak in the high risk category must be notified to the Animal Health Organisation.

Dr Vella explained that the incubation period in case of an outbreak on an animal farm was usually between some hours to a day and stressed that the division had already advised all owners of chicken farms to take the necessary precautions. She explained that chickens have to be batched according to a process while stressing that welfare requirements are also to be enforced. After all, the requirements in the process are met, movements are then permitted to the slaughterhouse with ‘spotters’ also employed to check carcasses, Dr Vella said.

Dr Vella explained that water fowls and domestic poultry are the most likely species to contract and transmit avian flu. She added that checks will also be made on hunting and the catches, both by trapping and by shooting, saying however that experts had established that the risks here were minimal.

Dr Vella said that a contingency plan in the case of an avian flu outbreak had already been approved by the European Commission. She explained that there were two types of border controls. Importers of live animals also have to report to the department, Dr Vella added.

Dr Vella confirmed that farm inspections will increase accordingly but explained that most of the local production is intensive and is held indoors so the risks are much less than in other countries. She explained that all known pigeon lofts have been registered and confirmed that discussions were currently underway with the hunters and trappers’ association on a mechanism for the checking of carcasses.

In a final appeal, Dr von Brockdorff stressed on the importance not to sensationalise on the issue of avian flu as the livelihood of several farmers within the poultry industry would be at risk.