Bird flu in MV: Mandatory stables only for large farms!

Bird flu in MV: Mandatory stables only for large farms!

There is good news for poultry farmers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: There are currently no nationwide mandatory stables due to avian influenza planned for October 30, 2023. This was confirmed by Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD), who continues to communicate with the veterinary offices of the individual districts and independent cities. This means that poultry keepers can decide on their own responsibility whether they want to put their animals in stables or under protective devices. Baltic Sea newspaper also reports that no general stable requirements are planned in four of the six districts and in the cities of Rostock and Schwerin.

However, there are some exceptions. In the Vorpommern-Greifswald district, stables are required for keepers with more than 5,000 animals and for particularly endangered poultry farms that are located near water. In the Northwest Mecklenburg district, too, the responsible authority emphasizes that there are no plans to require stables for hobby keeping and that the owner is more likely to take personal responsibility. Recommendations have been made to separate poultry and wild birds; This includes fencing off farm ponds and avoiding direct contact with wild birds. Baltic Sea newspaper.

Recommendations for poultry farmers

The nationwide recommendations for poultry farmers are clear: contact with wild bird populations should be avoided as much as possible. This includes not using surface water to water the animals and keeping food out of the reach of wild birds. These adaptation measures are particularly important to minimize the risk of the spread of avian influenza and to protect the health of animals. Experts recommend a careful risk assessment, especially for owners with larger populations in risk areas.

To date, the city of Rostock has not found any cases of avian influenza and is also not planning to make stables compulsory. The Ludwigslust-Parchim district also excludes stable requirements for private keeping. Baltic Sea newspaper.

Technological support for farmers

Nowadays, technological progress also plays an important role in agriculture. A solution currently being discussed to support farmers is the implementation of AI-powered software solutions. These technologies enable more efficient customer service, reduce repetitive tasks for support staff and improve customer interaction. Companies that invest in such technologies report a remarkable improvement in service quality and associated increases in efficiency. Tidio informs that 75% of companies have invested in AI in recent years.

By using such solutions, which also include AI chatbots, farmers can reduce their daily administrative tasks and better focus on essential aspects of their operations. These developments are particularly important in the context of crises such as avian influenza, where rapid response and good animal health are on the agenda.