VOVNews: Currently, people are feeling secure as the bird flu epidemic has showed signs of abating. As an expert, what is your assessment of the situation?

Mr Anh: No new outbreak has been detected since December, 2005 but the risk of bird flu recurrence remains high. Indonesia still sees a number of deaths caused by the bird flu epidemic which is rapidly spreading through many other regional countries via emigrating birds.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of dangerous changes in bird flu-related viruses.

In my opinion, the bird flu epidemic remains a serious problem as it is likely to return. While many localities throughout the country have not planned for possible recurrence, we are exerting every effort to find more effective preventative measures.

The Central Veterinary Department recommends that people ensure biological safety in livestock and abide by regulations on slaughtering, transporting and trading poultry and poultry products.

VOVNews: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently considering conditions to allow the resumption of duck hatching at the end of July. What are the Central Veterinary Department’s opinions on the issue?

Mr Anh: We think that the hatching should not be made at present because of high risks of re-occurrence of the bird flu epidemic and many countries are encouraging restrictions on duck raising. It is imperative to conduct planning work for poultry raising and carry out specific projects to help animal breeders find new employment. By doing so, epidemic prevention and control will improve.

The Veterinary Department is asking the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to postpone hatching till the end of February, 2007 to minimise the possible recurrence of the epidemic, particularly in the coming winter.

From now till the end of February, 2007, it is necessary to combine raising battery and free-range ducks to meet market demands and generate incomes for farmers. The issues will be discussed at a seminar on duck raising management in southern provinces to be held in Tien Giang province on July 27.

VOVNews: Raising ducks, particularly free-range ducks, runs the risk of a possible recurrence of the epidemic. What should we do help farmers follow regulations on animal farming?

Mr Anh: In many provinces, farmers are used to raising free-range ducks. Raising free-range ducks has the advantage of using scattered food source, it also helps prevent rice-crop diseases. However, raising free-range ducks may cause epidemics, particularly bird flu which eventually threaten human lives. In southern provinces, local authorities are unable to limit raising free-range ducks.

The problem now is to raise awareness among farmers about the danger of raising free-range ducks when an outbreak occurs. Farmers can raise free-range ducks if the duck flock has been inoculated. The Veterinary Department insists that it is necessary to have a comprehensive change in animal culture in the coming period.

VOVNews: Thank you very much.