Chicken and egg sectors urge robust measures to combat bird flu in run up to Christmas

13 Oct 2022 --- UK poultry farmers are calling for birds to be kept inside to tackle rising bird flu cases. The sector wants to see a nationwide housing order brought in urgently, as outbreaks have been increasing in the last few weeks. 

Over the last year, the UK has faced its largest-ever outbreak of avian influenza, with over 160 cases confirmed since late October 2021. 

Meanwhile, recent global outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have constrained egg supplies in the face of rising demand. This combination has fueled sharp price increases as of late. 

HPAI remains a concern in the industry and is putting a strain on maintaining sufficient stocks to meet the current level of demand.

Legal requirements to keep birds inside
But in Britain, the poultry and egg sector wants to see more done to combat the outbreak, particularly with the festive season around the corner.

Recent global outbreaks of HPAI have constrained egg supplies in the face of rising demand.This call for a UK-wide housing order – which keeps birds inside – closely follows a compulsory housing order for all poultry and captive birds in some parts of England.

The order states that anyone who keeps birds, commercially or as pets, etc., is subject to the order designed to protect poultry and captive birds.

The new legal requirement is for all bird keepers in these hotspots to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures as laid down by the UK’s department for environment, food & rural affairs (Defra) and advice from Britain’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss. 

Biosecurity measures
The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) last month, covering Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex. 

The AIPZ means that all bird keepers must take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

The introduction of the housing measures comes after the disease was detected at 16 premises in the affected areas since the beginning of September, as well as several reports in wild birds.

“We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and expect the risk to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK,” says Middlemiss.

“We are now taking further action to help protect flocks from this highly infectious and devastating disease. Keepers in these hotspots must continue to follow strict biosecurity standards to protect their flock and should use the next few days to prepare and move their birds indoors.” 

Low risk in terms of food challenges
The UK Health Security Agency continues to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low, and the Food Standards Agency's advice remains unchanged, that avian influenza pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. 

Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

The regionalized housing measures will remain in force in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex until further notice.

Meanwhile, the poultry sector remains under pressure as the persistence of avian influenza shows no signs of abating. 

By Gaynor Selby