Bird flu threat won’t affect busy Christmas supply

The continental outbreak of avian (bird) flu H5N8 prompted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to declare a prevention zone – where poultry producers are ordered to keep their birds indoors for 30 days – on Tuesday (December 6). But, poultry firms 2 Sisters Food Group and Bernard Matthews told FoodManufacture.co.uk that it won’t impact supply over the festive period.

A 2 Sisters spokesman said: “This is just a precautionary measure, affecting outdoor [free-range and organic] birds only. [It won’t] have any impact on supply.”

‘Business as usual’

Turkey producer Bernard Matthews claimed it wasn’t anticipating any problems with supply for Christmas.

A Bernard Matthews spokesman said: “We foresee no problems at this stage and it’s business as usual.”

The avian flu virus hasn’t been detected in the UK this year – despite being identified in eight European countries since the end of October. But, the prevention zone declaration was praised by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which also said it wouldn’t have any impact on Christmas supplies.

A BRC spokeswoman said: “The 30-day prevention zone declaration is a sensible precautionary measure, and has no impact on supplies, particularly as free-range status is maintained.”

Large-scale flocks

Producers with large-scale flocks were most at risk from bird flu, claimed the chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens. Once avian flu is detected in a flock – whatever its size – all the birds must be slaughtered, he said.

“Even when birds are housed, a risk of infection remains so this must be coupled with good biosecurity,” Gibbens said. “For example, disinfecting clothing and equipment, reducing poultry movement and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish government also declared a 30-day prevention zone, in response to the avian flu threat.