12-2-06
NBvH: ‘’It’s irresponsible to wait any longer’’
The authorities should make bird flu vaccine available at once

The Dutch authorities should make the bird flu vaccine available to hobby holders at once. According to the Dutch Smallholders Association it is irresponsible to wait any longer, so they write in an emergency letter to Minister Veerman, Agriculture.
Simple calculating learns that starting vaccination as of today, can still protect hobby poultry in time against the advancing virus. One needs two vaccination rounds and so three weeks after the first round our birds can walk around freely in the open air again. According to NBvH, especially hobby holders in areas of dense poultry populations would be wise to vaccinate their birds against bird flu.
For evidently the poultry industry is the most at risk in case of a contamination. And, because the best way of prevention – vaccination of industrial poultry – is still not coming off, NBvH is urgently appealing to Minister Veerman: “Hobby holders have a fundamental right to protect their animals as well as themselves.
For more information, please contact
Christine Bijl, Secretary
+31.342-441911