June 9, 2022

 

France lifts restrictions on poultry farming

 

 

The French ministry of Agriculture and Food announced that bird flu-related restrictions on poultry farming across the country would be lifted, citing a halt in outbreaks, Reuters reported.

The recent bird flu outbreak was the country's worst ever, resulting in the culling of 16 million birds.

 

In early May, the European Union's second largest poultry producer eased restrictions in much of the country, including keeping birds inside, but kept those restrictions in the worst-affected areas.

 

Since then, only four outbreaks on farms have been detected, with none since May 17, prompting the ministry to reduce the risk level assessment for the entire country to "negligible," according to the ministry.

 

Governments and the worldwide poultry industry are concerned over the effects of bird flu spreading, which includes potential trade restrictions, flocks destroyed, and possible risk of human transmission.

 

Following a first wave that resulted in the culling of approximately 4 million birds, mostly ducks, in southwestern France, the country faced outbreaks further north on the Atlantic coast, which were thought to have been brought by returning wild birds. find out more

 

Since late November, France has recorded 1,378 bird flu outbreaks.

 

The region of Pays de Loire, France's second-largest poultry producer, was the hardest hit.

 

Millions of chickens and laying hens were culled, resulting in a drop in output and a spike in egg prices.

 

According to the ministry, some sanitary measures will be in place around the worst-affected areas.

 

-      Reuters