Taichung egg farm operator detained over alleged avian flu disposal

Taipei, Feb. 3 (CNA) A Taichung egg farm operator was detained by prosecutors and held incommunicado Tuesday on suspicion of illegally disposing of chickens that died following an avian influenza outbreak.

The Taichung District Court approved the detention, finding that Yun (雲), operator of Fengkang Egg Ranch in Taichung's Fengyuan District, met the legal grounds and necessity for custody.

A separate suspect, surnamed Yen (顏), who owns land in Miaoli County where some of the dead chickens were allegedly buried, was released on NT$200,000 (US$6,300) bail and barred from changing residence, the court said.

• Mayor confirms avian flu outbreak at egg farm in Taichung

According to the Taichung City government, chickens at the farm began showing avian influenza symptoms on Jan. 10, with large numbers dying between Jan. 10 and Jan. 26.

Investigators allege that Yun concealed the outbreak and disposed of some dead chickens by burying them at his residence, while transporting others to Miaoli County for dumping and burial.

Prosecutors searched the farm and Yun's residence and questioned Yun, two employees and Yen as part of the investigation.

After a second round of questioning late Monday, prosecutors said Yun is suspected of violating the Waste Disposal Act by illegally dumping hazardous business waste, failing to properly dispose of waste as a business operator, and committing fraud under the Criminal Code.

Yen is suspected of illegally allowing hazardous waste to be dumped and buried on his land without approval from authorities, prosecutors said.

The city government said the outbreak has been contained, with no evidence of spread to other poultry farms, after all chickens at the affected site were culled and large quantities of eggs, feed, and bedding materials were destroyed.