April 23, 2007

Bird flu sanitisation measures cost UK exporters millions

Sanitisation measures to curb bird flu outbreaks are costing UK poultry breeders and exporters millions in lost profits.

The length of time taken to cleanse chicken sheds after an outbreak in February at a farm is frustrating farmers, who say they are losing millions in lost opportunities.

New laws require that for affected farms, litter from poultry sheds must be stacked up and composted for 42 days, followed by two thorough cleansing and 'de-greasing' sessions of the sheds seven days apart. They are then left empty for 21 days.

The UK will only regain its bird flu free status three months after the 21-day lock-up period.

UK poultry has been banned by several countries outside the EU, costing the industry nearly GBP 25 million (US$ 50 million) in lost exports of parent, grand-parent and great-grand-parent stocks.