April 4, 2022

France facing worst bird flu outbreak in history

France is managing its worst bird flu outbreak in history as the country detects a rebound in outbreaks in its major poultry producing regions, Reuters reported.

France has culled more than 12 million birds since the first outbreak was confirmed on November 26, 2021, the worst bird flu crisis ever in the country. 1,112 outbreaks have been reported.

The government and the country's poultry industry are concerned that the outbreaks will result in more birds killed, restrictions, and a possibility of human transmission.

25 out of 27 European Union countries (except Malta and Cyprus) are facing bird flu outbreaks with Italy suffering the most severe damage. Word Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) data showed that outbreaks have ended in all countries by end of March, except for France.

The highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus has spread rapidly in the key Pays de la Loire region and affected Brittany mid-March. Both regions are the country's biggest poultry producers.

The outbreaks come as farmers are expecting rising livestock feed prices because of Russia's invasion into Ukraine, both key grain exporters, as well as issues with the supply chain.

France's LDC, the EU's largest poultry producer, said this could result in reduced slaughtering activity or a temporary closure of some locations.

Gilles Huttepain, former LDC chairman and vice-chairman of French poultry lobby Anvol, said LDC will virtually close four slaughterhouses for up to eight weeks. These slaughterhouses produce 1.1 million poultry weekly.

Huttepain said other companies will compensate some of the lost volume by increasing production, adding that supplies won't be wiped out.

-      Reuters