Stop burning alive birds suspected of bird flu

We, the undersigned, are thoroughly disturbed by the images of birds been stuffed in bags to be buried or burnt alive in response to the recent outbreak of avian flu in Turkey and countries of South-East Asia.

This "method" of slaughtering birds suspected of being infected is cruel and inhumane. Moreover, it is not effective as it is proved by the new infections in humans, the reports of birds escaping just before they were stuffed in the bags, the insufficient knowledge of the effect of buried infected birds on drinking water etc.

Hong-Kong has recently adopted more humane and scientifically sound procedures to confront this serious problem. The rest of the affected countries and especially Turkey, as a candidate for EU (a body with fairly high standards of health and animal welfare) should follow Hong-Kong's example. If they lack the means to do so, then they can and they must ask the assistance of other countries. There is no shame in that. What is definitely shameful is losing more people to this dreadful disease and dealing with the infected animals in such a brutal way.