Bird flu scare hits French foie gras production

Paris

PRODUCTION of France's favourite festive-season treat has been hit by restrictions resulting from an avian influenza scare in the south-west, where most of the delicacy is produced.

"In the most optimistic scenario . . . a third of this region's (usual) output will not be produced," Christophe Barrailh, head of the CIFOP group that represents the foie gras industry, told AFP on Wednesday. It could be far worse, according to one of the largest producers, who said that output could be halved.

Foie gras - consumed in lavish quantities in France at Christmas and New Year - is the "fatty liver" of geese and ducks which have been force-fed grain. The highly virulent H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus was identified at a chicken farm in Dordogne in November, triggering intervention by veterinary watchdogs…