BIRD FLU AND COMPENSATION.

The bird flu virus has left a devastating trail in many countries,with resultant huge economic losses and scarcity of poultry products especially eggs. The virus has put so many producers out of business and many more on the brink of financial collapse,the poultry farmers that are worst hit are those without insurance or any type of risk management plan and those that dont qualify for compensation. The risk management tool /insurance is a personal issue on the path of the farmers,many dont take out polices on their investment basically because they lack wisdom,and understanding on the issue.Any farmer that is insured has so many benefits,and links/opportunities to grow bigger. In cases of disease outbreaks, not only do they get pay-outs; they have opportunities to start over without any delay.Many insurance companies have products that cover farmers,their equipment and operation. Be a wise farmer, insure your farm. Compensation in cases of bird flu is a global concern,with more and more countries bring out guidelines on methods of collection and also many countries have made the compensation plan public to encourage farmers to disclose the status of their farms. In Nigeria,there is a compensation plan and guidelines to benefit from the scheme. A farmer that has an incidence on the farm and does not report cant lay claim to any payment. A farmer that has a case of high mortality ,with obvious signs of the bird flu virus and decides to procure a solution without reporting will forfeit any claim to any compensation on birds before the case became a public knowledge. When there is a case of bird flu on your farm, you report to a state veterinary officer,who will report to the state AVIAN INFLUENZA DESK OFFICER,and the farm is visited immediately,samples taken from farm and sent to the NVRI in Jos where a virus is confirmed. The population on the farm as at time of visit is recorded and sent along with sample,this is recorded in the compensation scheme form and its on this data that the payment is made. Early reporting is key to procure meaningful compensation. When the virus is confirmed,the farm is depopulated and disinfected.The process of disinfection is continuous,starting at every week,then followed by every month and the farm facility is not used for 6 months. A quarantine sign is put up on the farm to ensure there are no movement within 3km radius of the farm. Many potent disinfectants are available for this purpose,use proven disinfectants and wear protective clothing.