ALTFORST –
The bird flu outbreak on a chicken farm in Altforst was probably caused by some form of vermin that entered the barn. This is the opinion of the chairman of the Dutch Poultry Farmers’ Union, Hennie de Haan. News of the outbreak hit the union and its members hard.
–
“A big disappointment,” said De Haan Radio Gelderland. “A housing obligation is intended to reduce the risk, but in this case it was of no avail.”
According to her, the so-called highly pathogenic virus H5N8 has reached the chickens in Altforst is very probably not due to human error. “There are pests that wipe their feet less well before entering,” said the chairman. “We have to think in that direction.”
Environment is risky
De Haan immediately looked up the location on the internet and saw that it has a water-rich environment. According to her, this is a major risk factor. “It is a wonderful wintering place for various wild water birds,” says De Haan. “They come here already infected with the virus, which sometimes doesn’t make them very sick themselves, but which makes them very dangerous for our animals.”
Pests then carry the virus with them and come into contact with the chickens in the house. The virus then spreads through the stable like wildfire. In this case that costs 35,700 chickens the head.
Fear is good
That is tragic for the animals and the industry. De Haan explains that all poultry farmers are fearful. “Nobody dares to feel safe anymore,” she explains. “We know that the virus is in several places in the Netherlands, because more and more dead animals have been sent in for research since last week. So we have to be very alert.”
Impact on exports
In addition, the effects on exports are also immediately looked at with an eye. “For the European market it does not cause too many problems, but we also deliver to countries outside of it”, De Haan explains. “We always have to wait and see whether they say ‘products can no longer be delivered from this municipality alone’ or from all over the Netherlands. Then we really have a problem.”
Little effects for the consumer
The chairman expects that the consumer will not notice much of this outbreak, despite a ban on transport for poultry farms in a zone of 10 kilometers around the infected farm: become more expensive. “
Also see:
– .
