Animal Liberation’s Campaign Coordinator Emma Hurst said the public needs to be aware that intensive facilities such as this [DA321/2009] could be a major threat, increasing risk of bird flu in Australia.

“The World Health Organisation, Veterinary and Medical Associations, and, to an extent, the Poultry and Intensive Pig Industries themselves, admit that the traction this virus is obtaining to potentially develop an air born capacity is being gathered in intensive farms,” she said.

“When you think about it - it is common sense - an environment with thousands of little inviting blood-rich lungs, high humidity, large amounts of fecal matter, extreme confinement and constant stress are a heavenly haven for H5N1 (bird flu) to go forth and multiply,” she explained.

Another concern for the group is the bushfire report.

According to Ms Hurst the bushfire report states that the area is considered a bushfire prone area and that in the event of a fire, the number of ducks being housed could not be released or rescued.

The group also believe there is a lack of water supply and are concerned that water is limited soley to drinking points in all intensive duck production.

“Ducks are aquatic birds evolved for swimming,” Ms Hurst said.

“Within intensive farming systems such as this, they never have the opportunity to swim.

“In view of the aquatic nature of all ducks and their need for water to remain healthy, water deprivation represents a serious welfare concern.

“Therefore duck farming involved life-long suffering through an almost total frustration of natural behavioural patterns and disease.”

The application is currently with the Joint Regional Planning Panel and Singleton Council are assessing all submissions which were received by January 18.

A determination date is not yet known.