Poultry Farmers Advised to Shelter Birds Immediately Ahead of Upcoming Housing Mandate

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Poultry Farmers Advised to Shelter Birds Immediately Ahead of Upcoming Housing Mandate

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is urging poultry producers to take immediate action by sheltering their birds. This recommendation comes ahead of a mandatory housing order set to begin on November 10. The order, announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, aims to combat the rising threat of avian influenza in the region.

Recent Avian Influenza Cases

Confirmation of two cases of avian influenza, specifically the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, has raised concerns among poultry producers. The first case was documented on November 4 in a turkey flock located in County Carlow. A second case was reported near Kells, County Meath, on November 5.

Poultry Producers Respond

IFA poultry chairperson Nigel Sweetnam expressed alarm following these developments. He emphasized the need for a focused approach to biosecurity across the sector. “Flock owners must ensure tight controls are implemented,” he stated. “The housing order is effective next Monday, but producers should shelter their birds immediately.”

Biosecurity Protocols Are Critical

Sweetnam highlighted the importance of reviewing biosecurity measures to eliminate any vulnerabilities. He noted that while housing the birds provides added protection, strict and effective biosecurity protocols remain the primary defense against the virus. “Only robustly managed controls will be effective in limiting the spread of avian influenza,” he asserted.

Mandatory Housing Order Details

The housing order mandates that, starting November 10, all poultry and captive birds must be housed or confined. This regulation prevents them from having contact with other poultry or wild birds. Minister Heydon stressed that biosecurity is the best method to protect poultry from potential infection.

Importance of Precautions

“All poultry keepers must adopt the highest standards of biosecurity,” the Minister reiterated. This emphasizes the necessity for proactive measures to safeguard both individual flocks and the broader poultry industry in Ireland.