Farmers protest at Tilbury Docks over Brazilian beef imports
Fifty messia finches bird died at the quarantine centre in Essex a report has revealed. Originally it was reported that a parrot had died after contracting the H5N1 virus, but further investigations have shown that some 50 birds from Taiwan were infected and have subsequently died [BBC]. The centre, Pegasus Birds in Essex, east of London, UK, was the subject of much controversy when it was reported that 2 parrots had died at the facility. It was later reported that 2 workers at the quarantine centre were also working at Southend hospital in Essex. Health authorities said there was no risk to patients from the husband, Mr Savage who worked there as a maintenance worker, and his wife [BBC]. Meanwhile in Japan it has been reported that the anti-inflammatory drug Tamiflu and been linked to two deaths in the country. The Independent on Sunday said that the drug had been linked to unusual and suicidal behaviour in several individuals and that at least two had died [VOA]. One person had reportedly jumped in front of a lorry and another leapt to their death from a high-rise building.
In another food scare, protesters have been airing their grievances at the importation of Brazilian meat. The beef has been the subject of a ban in at least 40 countries after an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Midwestern state of Mato Grosso de Sul [USA Today]. British farmers today protested outside Tilbury Docks on the River Thames to highlight their concerns over the importation of the meat. Foot & Mouth disease broke out in Britain in 2000 and thousand of pigs and cattle were destroyed. Brazil has in the meantime, blamed Paraguay for the outbreak which has resulted in the slaughter of at least 5,000 cattle [Cattle Network].
[14:45 GMT 15/11/2005]
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