There is no plan at this time to introduce a housing order on poultry farms in the Republic of Ireland despite increasing concerns about avian influenza, known commonly as ‘bird flu’.
Superintending veterinary inspector, Audrey Jenkinson from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) confirmed that at this point, birds here need not be confined.
She was speaking on the latest episode of Agriland’s AgriFocus where she said that any decision taken around the housing of birds is taken “based on the current epidemiological situation”.
“It’s not only the economic consequences on farm if a case is confirmed on your farm; that mean’s depopulation of the flock and a very rigorous cleaning process after that,” the superintending veterinary officer said.
“It’s…