Farm likely bankrupt after bird flu measures

Over 50 000 chicks have been culled in a preventative action at a manure farm on Burmadeweg in Hazerswoude-dorp, Zuid Holland possibly rendering the owners of the farm bankrupt. Following an outbreak of the avian influenza last week, the De Wit family says they were not surprised by preventative action being taken on their farm, according to AD.nl The De Wits stress that no bird flu has been found on their farm, but that they do understand the measures that have been taken. Moreover, the company has been informed that trading in their business may have to cease for weeks or even months to come. The family had already discovered that the farm was having financial troubles, and that it might have needed to shutdown sometime in the next few months. A spokesman for the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority reports that three companies have been investigated in the area thus far. No poultry was present on two of the farms, while the third was held over for further investigation. In the meantime, the De Wit farm awaits the results on the cow's milk that they are currently using to feed their live stock. Alphen aan den Rijn mayor Tjerk Bruinsma van Alphen spoke to the family earlier Monday, and was expected to visit with the family in person.