Poultry News

Farming charity RABI is reminding poultry farmers of the support services available following the introduction of Defra’s Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across England.

From today (7th November), it is a legal requirement to house all poultry and captive birds across England to prevent the further spread of avian influenza.

The national risk of avian influenza in wild birds has been increased to ‘very high’.

The government has announced new measures to support the poultry industry as the UK battles its worst ever outbreak – with over 200 cases confirmed across the country in the last 12 months.

Unrelenting cost pressures in the sector could mean that free range and organic egg producers will lose more than £300,000 per flock on average as losses rack up to nearly £10 per hen, independent consultants have said.

After an increase in the number of confirmed avian influenza cases, the UK’s chief veterinary officers have declared an AIPZ across the whole of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of disease spread.

In response to rising cost pressures in the sector, Noble Foods has announced a price increase of six pence per dozen eggs for all its free-range and organic producers to demonstrate its commitment to “putting producers first”.

Defra has confirmed 22 cases of H5N1 in England since 1st October, with the majority of cases in Norfolk, followed by Essex and Suffolk.

The UK’s chief vet is urging bird keepers in all areas to maintain strict biosecurity measures as cases of H5N1 have continued through September.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed at premises in Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire.

A mitigation strategy offering guidance to land managers, the public and ornithological and environmental organisations, has been set out by Defra and the Welsh government amid the growing threat of avian flu to wild birds.

This month, avian vet Suzy Brown, of Avivets in Cheshire, offers advice on optimising the health of housed poultry this winter.