PUTRAJAYA: The 1,023 chicken farmers in Kelantan affected by the recent bird flu (H5N1) outbreak will receive their compensation, totalling RM413,004 before Hari Raya from the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry (MoA).
Confirming the good news, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said his department was vetting through the compensation list and payment arrangements will be handled by DVS Kelantan.
"We will pay the farmers before Raya. I will discuss with my Minister (Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek) on mode of payments - either by cash or cheque and to declare Kelantan free from the virus after the 90 days period," Dr Quaza told reporters after distributing bubur lambuk to his staff here this evening.
He added that about 2,843 samplings have been done and the roadblock operations in Kelantan will be carried out within the next 18 days until the Bird Flu virus is totally cleared.
"No movements of poultry from Thailand and Kelantan are allowed at the moment. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) ruling, it takes 90 days before we can declare the affected areas as H5N1 virus-free. We are now entering the 72 day. No new cases have been reported so far."
The self-declaration procedures are important, according to Dr Quaza, as China and Japan have imposed a temporary ban on exports of poultry-based products from Malaysia until the virus-free declaration has been made.
The culling of 56,953 chickens and disposal of 17,531 eggs in 36 locations across Kelantan were done during the 72-day period.
On the Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) outbreak in Terengganu, Dr Quaza said 273 cows have died in Marang and Rusila because of the disease, triggered mainly by stress due to the climatical changes. But the situation is under control.
"We are targetting 3,000 cows for vaccination. The HS disease can be cured through vaccination," he said.
He also assured consumers that there will be sufficient supply of beef and chicken meat for Raya.