Saturday 20th March 2021
Effects of avian influenza
Free range eggs could be scarce at Easter
After avian influenza broke out in almost all of Germany, laying hens are no longer allowed to leave their stalls in many farms. There they continue to lay eggs, but then they are usually no longer allowed to be declared as free-range eggs.
Because of the currently rampant avian influenza, the industry association estimates that free-range eggs will be scarce in some regions before Easter. Due to the animal disease, the chickens are not allowed to leave their stalls in many places. This also affects free-range farming, said the President of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry and Chairman of the Lower Saxony Poultry Industry Association, Friedrich-Otto Ripke, in Oldenburg.
"After 16 weeks of stable housing, the eggs may no longer be marketed as free-range eggs, but only as barn eggs." Since autumn there has been a wave of avian plague emanating from wild birds, especially with the highly contagious H5N8 virus. 14 federal states are affected, and avian influenza has been officially identified in more than 120 herds.
The economic damage to the industry is already higher than that of the avian plague wave of 2016/17, said Ripke. For Lower Saxony alone, the Tierseuchenkasse has so far booked compensation of more than 20 million euros. Four years ago it was 17 million euros. Lower Saxony accounts for around 60 percent of the poultry population in Germany. "Accordingly, Lower Saxony is also affected by the economic consequences of avian influenza," said Ripke.
The animal disease fund compensates the farmer for the animals killed as a result of the animal disease, including the costs of killing and disposal. But there are further economic disadvantages for the keepers, because after an outbreak the "re-establishment" of the stock is usually forbidden for a certain period of time. In some cases, loss of earnings insurance covers such damage. "Some will have such insurance," said Ripke.
Virus could spread via aerosols
Together with the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, it must now be analyzed how companies can better protect themselves from avian influenza. In view of the repeated epidemics, it couldn't just go on like this, said Ripke. There are indications that the virus is entering poultry flocks via aerosols due to the wind penetrating the stalls. "We have to improve that," said Ripke. Turkey stocks in particular had to be killed in the past few weeks in Lower Saxony due to the outbreak of the disease.
Ripke rejected requests that the industry should reduce the animal density in the intensive farming regions such as Cloppenburg. "I am convinced that this will not bring the success that one hopes for." The authorities also lack legal action to force farmers to close down. For economic reasons, the farmers could not give up their farms. "That will be individual, but not the masses. And if they switch from turkey to chicken, then a building permit is required," said Ripke. This is also difficult to get for farmers.
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