Fourteen poultry flocks have applied to the once-off financial support scheme, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal.
The fund was established to provide compensation to flock owners who incurred a financial loss as a result of an outbreak of the low-pathogen H6N1 strain of avian influenza. The strain has no food safety implications, but does affect flock productivity.
The Department will fund 100% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €10,000. Only costs associated with depopulation and rendering of affected birds have been considered. Fourteen flocks, all located in Co Monaghan, were eligible for compensation.
Safety net
“I am in line to receive roughly €7,500 from the scheme, which will cover nothing. It’s a drop in the ocean,” Micky McKenna, a free-range egg producer in Tydavnet, Co Monaghan, told the Irish Farmers Journal.
McKenna was ordered to cull his 14,000 free-range hens when the H6N1 strain of bird flu was identified in his flock.
“I have another batch of hens ordered for December. We have the house washed out and ready to go. We will be taking all the necessary biosecurity measures but there is no guarantee the flu won’t strike again.
“If another case breaks out we won’t be able to cope financially. The birds cost nearly €70,000 to buy in. It will put me to the road. There’s no safety net in place for poultry farmers.”
Reporting outbreaks
The Department has urged all flock owners to be vigilant and implement strict biosecurity on their premises, by ensuring only essential personnel, vehicles and equipment have access to their flocks and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds.
Flock owners who suspect an outbreak of avian influenza must report it immediately to their veterinarian or to one of the Department’s regional veterinary offices.
Read more
Poultry farmers furious over compensation package
14 poultry flocks eligible for compensation up to €10,000
Egg shortages linked to bird flu outbreak
Fourteen poultry flocks have applied to the once-off financial support scheme, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal.
The fund was established to provide compensation to flock owners who incurred a financial loss as a result of an outbreak of the low-pathogen H6N1 strain of avian influenza. The strain has no food safety implications, but does affect flock productivity.
The Department will fund 100% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €10,000. Only costs associated with depopulation and rendering of affected birds have been considered. Fourteen flocks, all located in Co Monaghan, were eligible for compensation.
Safety net
“I am in line to receive roughly €7,500 from the scheme, which will cover nothing. It’s a drop in the ocean,” Micky McKenna, a free-range egg producer in Tydavnet, Co Monaghan, told the Irish Farmers Journal.
McKenna was ordered to cull his 14,000 free-range hens when the H6N1 strain of bird flu was identified in his flock.
“I have another batch of hens ordered for December. We have the house washed out and ready to go. We will be taking all the necessary biosecurity measures but there is no guarantee the flu won’t strike again.
“If another case breaks out we won’t be able to cope financially. The birds cost nearly €70,000 to buy in. It will put me to the road. There’s no safety net in place for poultry farmers.”
Reporting outbreaks
The Department has urged all flock owners to be vigilant and implement strict biosecurity on their premises, by ensuring only essential personnel, vehicles and equipment have access to their flocks and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds.
Flock owners who suspect an outbreak of avian influenza must report it immediately to their veterinarian or to one of the Department’s regional veterinary offices.
Read more
Poultry farmers furious over compensation package
14 poultry flocks eligible for compensation up to €10,000
Egg shortages linked to bird flu outbreak
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