Grain-growers fear bird flu risk in imported feed

Mid-Canterbury grain growers are concerned at the potential risk of bird flu posed by importing stock feed from Malaysia.

As Asia battles an outbreak of the H5N1 strain of the disease which has resulted in several deaths, New Zealand farmers are alarmed at the possible biosecurity risk.

New Zealand annually imports 100,000 tonnes of the soap manufacturing waste product for use as a feed supplement on farms, mainly used by the dairy industry.

Valetta grain grower and mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers grains section vice-chairman David Clark said yesterday he was among farmers calling for importers to provide proof of the product's safety.

Reports had been received of palm kernel being contaminated with bird droppings and the concern is that diseases, mainly avian bird flu, could be carried in the product.

The concern is risk of contamination from wild birds gaining access to stored product awaiting shipment from Malaysia.

Mr Clark said a flu outbreak would decimate the poultry industry, ruin the local feed grain industry and create a human health risk.

Grains Council of New Zealand spokesman Colin MacKinnon said Malaysia was known to harbour not just avian bird flu but also exotic forms of salmonella and foot-and-mouth disease.

- NZPA