Compulsory stables in Märkisch-Oderland: bird flu causes excitement!

Compulsory stables in Märkisch-Oderland: bird flu causes excitement!

Poultry farming is currently on everyone's lips in Brandenburg - and for good reason. Compulsory housing for poultry was introduced to curb the spread of bird flu. The Märkisch-Oderland district was the latest affected to implement this regulation in order to protect poultry farming from the H5N1 virus. This stable requirement initially only affects commercial owners, but it has far-reaching effects on the region and beyond. District Administrator Gernot Schmidt (SPD) explained that it was important to make an official announcement in order to reduce production in organic farms and free-range farming n-tv reported.

The stable requirement also applies in the districts of Ostprignitz-Ruppin, Prignitz, Spree-Neiße as well as in Cottbus and Potsdam from Wednesday, and in the Oberhavel district it has been in effect since the previous day. Despite the strict measures, Schmidt speaks out against a nationwide mandatory stable requirement and emphasizes the effectiveness of the existing system. Particular caution is required as the region is an important bird migration area. The current pressure here could likely increase due to bird migration starting south.

Incoming protection measures

The Märkisch-Oderland veterinary office has already taken further measures to prevent the spread of the virus. A protection and monitoring zone has been set up around an affected duck breeding farm in Neuhardenberg, which will last for at least 30 days. Poultry farmers within a ten kilometer radius must examine their animals daily and keep them in closed stables or under protective nets rbb24 reported.

Animals kept are not allowed to leave the zones and dead animals must be reported immediately. In the event of violations, there is a risk of fines of up to 30,000 euros. The first cases were recently identified in Neuhardenberg, leading to an immediate veterinary examination and the killing of around 3,000 animals. These measures are necessary to prevent the virus from spreading further and to protect stocks, as there has been an increase in outbreaks in neighboring federal states and across Europe in recent weeks.

The importance of preventive measures

Consumer Protection Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) warned poultry farmers to review their safety measures as there is still a risk of an increase in bird flu in the region and beyond. The situation here shows how important it is to take proactive steps to ensure animal health and production safety in the poultry industry. In this context, a nationwide obligation to keep stables is also being discussed in order to uniformly regulate animal husbandry Mirror emerges.