July 12, 2006

Germany extends poultry lock-up to February 2007

Germany's parliament has extended to next February a lock-up order for domestic poultry in areas deemed at high risk of bird flu.

The Bundesrat, or upper house of parliament, said last week it made the decision based on recommendations by the national veterinary institute.

Germany suffered an outbreak of the H5N1 type of bird flu among both wild birds and domestic fowl earlier this year.

German poultry farmers have been ordered to lock up poultry intermittently since the migrating season in late 2005, but the measure has been implemented continuously since May.

Depending on the bird flu situation, the ruling could be reviewed before next year, the Bundesrat said.