Poultry farmers affected by an outbreak of bird flu in Co Monaghan are waiting for a response from the Department of Agriculture to proposals for a compensation scheme.

Cases of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) of the H6NI subtype have been confirmed in up to 10 flocks, mainly egg layers, concentrated around north Monaghan.

The strain does not affect humans but can cause a significant drop in egg production and quality.

Birds are culled to prevent further spread of the disease but the strain is not notifiable and farmers cannot receive any compensation or insurance.

IFA poultry chair Andy Boylan said meetings had been held with the Department at an early stage to discuss supports for the farmers involved.

“In Holland, they have a system where producers and the industry contribute to a fund and the government matches that 50-50. We proposed that system.”

Boylan said allowances made by Europe in response to COVID-19 meant the Department could provide aid up to €100,000 per farm.

The cost of an outbreak on a farm could run into the hundreds of thousands, Boylan said, once the cost of culling the birds, replacing the birds and the lost production were accounted for.