April 12, 2022

France culls more than 13 million poultry due to bird flu

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry of France said the government has culled more than 13 million poultry since end-November 2021 to stop the spread of bird flu in the country, Reuters reported.

There has been a resurgence in bird flu outbreaks in France believed to be spread by migrating wild birds. The culls have increased in major French poultry-producing regions.

1,230 bird flu outbreaks had been recorded on French farms by April 8, 2022 since the first case was confirmed on November 26 last year.

The French government and the poultry sector are concerned over the devastation bird flu outbreaks can cause to flocks, the possibility of trade restrictions, and possible risk of transmission to humans.

The H5N1 highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has spread throughout Europe, with many countries forced to cull poultry flocks especially in Italy. 

-      Reuters