Ostrich husbandry illegal: Regent

Ostrich husbandry illegal: Regent

PURWAKARTA, West Java: Purwakarta Regent Bunjamin Dudin
revealed on Saturday that an anthrax-plagued ostrich husbandry in
Ciparungsari village here was running without a permit from the
local administration.

"No permit from the administration was issued for the company
to open an ostrich husbandry," Bunjamin told Antara, referring to
PT Cisada Kema Suri.

The regent regretted that the company "washed its hands of the
problem" when the disease broke out.

A source said that the husbandry, which is situated on 113-
hectares belonging to state forestry firm Perum Perhutani, gained
a permit from the central government.

At least 28 people have reportedly been suffering from anthrax
while more than 100 others -- mostly families of the victims and
the husbandry's employees -- are feared to have contracted the
disease. (jun)