July 8, 2020

Ireland to provide financial support to poultry flock producers affected by avian influenza

Ireland will provide a once-off financial support scheme for poultry flocks affected by an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza this year, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Barry Cowen announced.

While not producing any implications for food safety, this particular strain of avian influenza (subtype H6N1) can curtail flock productivity. Flocks have been affected by the strain since February this year. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine does not have a legal basis to provide funding in respect of the H6N1 subtype as it is not of a subtype defined under the relevant EU legislation as requiring intervention.

The support scheme has been implemented to help owners cope the cost of depopulating their flocks. This assistance will be provided by DAFM under agriculture de minimis state aid rules.

"I want to acknowledge that the flock owners in question have taken the correct action in depopulating their flocks for the greater good of the sector," said Cowen. "In light of the significant economic impact this has had on their business, I am pleased to be able to provide some assistance towards the costs of depopulation which they have incurred."

Affected flock owners will receive details of the scheme including terms and conditions in the coming days.

- The Poultry Site