December 1, 2023

 

UK turkey farmers anticipate robust Christmas after 2022 bird flu crisis

Turkey farmers in the United Kingdom are expecting to meet Christmas demand this year, following a challenging bird flu outbreak in 2022 that killed half of the free-range flock, Channel News Asia reported.

 

Last year witnessed the onslaught of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which swept through both farmed and wild turkey populations, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of turkeys.

 

Despite the continued presence of the disease, Europe's wild bird population has developed increased immunity. In the autumn of last year, the disease spread across the country, causing severe disruptions in the domestic turkey market and leading to crippling shortages just before Christmas.

 

At Copas Traditional Turkeys, the animals narrowly avoided the devastating impact. The company's managing director Tom Copas said they were incredibly lucky that they had no bird flu anywhere nearby.

 

During the outbreak, farms implemented lockdown measures for their turkeys to mitigate risks. Enhanced biosecurity measures were put in place to prevent cross-contamination between farms. Staff were restricted to one site, public footpaths were diverted, and equipment was limited to one farm. Additionally, turkeys were slaughtered earlier than usual to avoid the risk of bird flu impacting the flock closer to Christmas.

 

While several biosecurity measures continue, turkeys now have the freedom to roam. Despite this, farm staff remain vigilant, acknowledging that the threat could re-emerge at any time. By Christmas, all birds would have been sent to the abattoir.

 

Unlike Copas, other poultry farms face the challenge of a constant cycle of rearing and slaughter, requiring continuous oversight and protection throughout the year. If the virus is discovered in a flock, birds cannot be placed on the same site for 12 months, jeopardizing two years' worth of business.

 

UK farmers are hopeful that vaccine research might offer a solution to this annual problem. The UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency is collaborating with international partners to develop a new vaccine. Professor Ian Brown, Director of Scientific Services at the agency, said a vaccine should stop infection or at least reduce infection, and interrupts the virus spreading from one bird to another.

 

However, observers note the high costs involved in developing the right vaccine. Professor Brown said international standards are very prescriptive, requiring monthly checking, lots of testing, and it is very costly.

 

He believes more countries in Europe will start vaccinating.

 

-      Channel News Asia