Mc's moves birds indoors

[Guest guest]

Mc's moves not to have bird flu with that

Email Print Normal font Large font By Brad Dorfman, Oakbrook, Illinois

April 19, 2006

MCDONALD'S is having its suppliers in Europe bring free-range

chickens indoors to try to contain the spread of bird flu.

" We are now imposing standards which require that those free-range

chickens that are producing free-range eggs be brought into houses

because of the threat of the spread of avian influenza, "

, vice-president worldwide quality at Mc's, said.

The standard, in place for six to eight months, also applies to

chickens for consumption.

The move is one of several the world's largest fast-food restaurant

company is taking to ensure customers will still buy poultry, even if

there is an outbreak.

While Mc's is best known for its hamburgers, chicken has become

big business. In the US last year it sold more chicken on a dollar

basis than beef, president and chief operating officer Mike

said.

The company has had suppliers in the US test flocks for bird flu for

the past six months.

" In the US we have vertical integration, the flocks are raised just

for Mc's, so we have total control over it, " Muschetto,

senior vice-president and chief purchasing officer, said.

That is not the case in other countries. In Europe, the government

controlled testing and it only occurred when the government allowed

it, he said.

The H5N1 avian flu virus has killed 109 people in nine countries. It

has infected 194 people. The virus has spread across Asia and into

parts of the Middle East, Africa and Europe since 2003, but has yet

to be found in North or South America.

Mc's had benefited from a reputation for food safety, Mr

said. He said there was no decline in chicken sales in China

when bird flu hit that country.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/04/18/1145344082688.html