Compulsory stables for poultry: Brandenburg is fighting against bird flu!

Compulsory stables for poultry: Brandenburg is fighting against bird flu!

In Germany, bird flu is currently causing great excitement and is posing massive challenges to poultry farming. In Brandenburg, poultry is now required to be kept in stables almost everywhere. This was decided after a risk assessment by the districts, with all regions except Oberspreewald-Lausitz being affected. A current outbreak has already affected seven poultry farms in Brandenburg, which has led to the killing of around 155,000 animals. Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke described the situation as “worrying” and called on farmers to be more vigilant, as the state government is not planning a general stable requirement for the whole of Brandenburg for the time being, as is the case MZ reports.

In order to contain the spread of the disease, compliance with hygiene measures in companies is particularly important. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt relies primarily on voluntary action. However, if the situation worsens further, a nationwide deployment requirement could become the next possible escalation level, which is currently not considered appropriate. The situation is no better in other federal states: In Baden-Württemberg, for example, 15,000 animals had to be killed and two large farms were also affected in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where almost 150,000 laying hens were killed ZDF today.

The dangers of bird migration

The birds that provide food, such as geese and ducks, contribute significantly to the endangerment of the populations. The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) has raised the risk of further outbreaks to “high”. Experts warn that bird flu is widespread in Germany all year round, but particularly increases with bird migration in autumn. So far, 29 outbreaks have been recorded in wild birds nationwide, mainly in cranes, and it is estimated that around 2,000 cranes have died from avian influenza. Over 1,000 dead cranes were recovered in northern Brandenburg, highlighting the worrying situation.

The economic impact on agriculture cannot currently be estimated, while the animal disease fund guarantees partial compensation to farmers whose poultry have to be killed due to the disease. Contact with dead birds should be avoided to prevent virus spread. There is currently no increased risk of serious illnesses caused by the HPAIV (H5N1) virus in the population, but caution should be exercised as there is a risk of transmission at high infection doses.

Measures for poultry farmers

The Avian Influenza Regulation in Germany, which has been in force since October 2018, places strict requirements on poultry farmers. They are obliged to register their business with the responsible authorities. Information on the number of animals, type of use and location must be provided. Holders are also required to keep all entries and exits as well as records of their activities. Such regulations serve to ensure complete documentation and combating of animal diseases. People who produce food or work with poultry commercially are also required to wear protective clothing that must be disinfected or disposed of safely, informs the BMELH.

The situation is tense and agriculture is concerned about developments, while livestock farmers are doing everything they can to protect the health of their livestock and comply with the strict measures. It remains to be hoped that the situation will soon stabilize and further spread of bird flu can be prevented.