November 9, 2020

Half of France on high alert for bird flu

The French government announced that about half of France's administrative departments will be categorised as high alert for bird flu, with the rest of the country on medium alert after cases of the virus was reported in west Europe, Reuters reported.

Poultry farmers in high alert areas must keep their livestock indoors or install protective netting to prevent contact with wild birds.

The government said they raised the national risk level following bird flu cases in neighbouring countries due to wild birds migrating.

Previous bird flu outbreaks in France have decimated duck and goose flocks, which are raised to produce foie gras pate.

In Europe, the Netherlands recently ordered the culling of 200,000 chickens after bird flu was detected on several farms. The Netherlands is the biggest chicken meat and eggs exporter in Europe.

Meanwhile, the UK ordered 13,000 birds to be culled in northwest England after the virus was detected there. Germany confirmed a bird flu case in a wild bird north of the country.

-      Reuters