Top > World > 2005 > November > 2005-11-10

Cockfighting bill enlisted in bird flu prevention

A cockfighting bill aimed at stemming the spread of bird flu to the U.S. has stalled despite support from the Bush administration and the poultry industry. The bill targets trade from Southeast Asia, where cockfighting is suspected of spreading bird flu from chickens to humans.

The measure would increase penalties for transporting fighting birds across state lines and from other countries. But the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has not brought the bill, which has passed the Senate, to a vote. Cockfighting is banned in every state except Louisiana and New Mexico.

"Issues such as the Patriot Act and immigration have kept the committee busy," said Jeff Lungren, spokesman for Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and he played down the idea that the bill would do much to keep bird flu from reaching the U.S. However, the Agriculture Department officials have made the case that it would.

Last year, then-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said the bill would enhance the department`s ability to protect U.S. poultry against avian flu and other diseases.