PoultryWorld: Farmers call for England-wide housing order as UK bird flu cases rise

Free-range egg producers have said the government needs to go further to help the sector combat a rise in avian influenza cases in the UK.

It follows a decision by the government’s chief vet to order birds in a further 5 English counties (Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire) to be moved inside as required by the avian influenza prevention zone. This is in addition to housing measures already in place across Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, North Yorkshire, York, Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Gary Ford, British Free Range Egg Producers Association (Bfrepa) policy adviser, said that while the additional restrictions were welcomed, the organisation was disappointed. “In our view there is sufficient evidence to extend the housing order across Great Britain. We all want to get ahead of the disease curve. We believe a proactive approach to this is the right way to approach this. Using evidence as a basis for the decision but taking into account other factors, including farmers’ well-being. They are worried and concerned that this dreadful disease could visit their farm. We need to do the right thing by the birds and flocks and the right things for farmers as well,” he told BBC Farming Today.

Emotional and financial strain

James Mottershead, NFU poultry board chair, agreed: “We’re asking the respective governments to take further action and urgently implement GB-wide housing measures. These would be an important part of a suite of measures to help prevent any further outbreaks of this devastating disease. Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.”

UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss: “Following the continued increasing number of bird flu cases across England, particularly in areas of concentrated poultry farming, we are now extending housing measures further. Bird keepers are reminded to continue remaining vigilant to any signs of disease, check which requirements apply to them while continuing to exercise robust biosecurity measures and ensure you report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”

The avian influenza prevention zones will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.