A FLOCK of 4000 rare chickens have been handed death sentences, after another three birds tested positive to salmonella.
Despite a public outcry and a Federal Court reprieve last week, the syndicate that imported the chickens were last night resigned to the fact the flock must be destroyed.
The Department of Agriculture issued a destruction order for the flock, held in quarantine at Torrens Island, after an initial test revealed one chick was infected with salmonella .
The Australian Rare Poultry Importation Syndicate, which spent 10 years and $500,000 to bring the breeds to the country, said it accepted the latest test results and their consequences.
"The only responsible decision that could be made was to turn the flock over to the Commonwealth for destruction," the statement said.
"We are clearly disappointed that this first importation has been unable to consummate this remarkable effort, especially after the investment (physical and financial) provided by some of our key syndicate members."
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