A ninth case of the highly infectious H5N8 strain of bird flu was found this week in Ireland. The Department has confirmed that the strain was detected in a whooper swan in Borrisokane, Co Tipperary.

The whooper swan is a non-native species to Ireland.

The majority of cases so far have been detected in non-native species, except for the seventh and eighth cases, which were found in indigenous species, the grey heron and the mute swan.

The housing regulations brought in on 23 December to segregate poultry flocks from wild birds are still in place and will remain in place until further notice, according to the Department of Agriculture. H5N8 has yet to infect Irish poultry flocks.

Worry

However, the housing regulations are beginning to worry free-range producers, who have only 12 weeks under EU regulations from the date the housing regulations are introduced until they lose their status. The crunch date for Irish producers arrives on 17 March 2017.

Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan argues that the 12 week rule must continue to apply

Nigel Renaghan, IFA poultry chair, said free-range producers are getting worried as the 17 March deadline draws closer. "The fact that H5N8 has now been found in native species means my best hope of it going away with the migratory birds is gone," he said.

No derogation

Mairead McGuinness MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament said, "thankfully, in Ireland, we have managed to keep the virus out of commercial flocks by keeping hens indoors and using strict bio-security measures. However, a problem is now emerging which could hit the profitability of free range egg producers, who are complying with disease control rules but face losing their “free range” status should birds be indoors for more than 12 weeks,” she said.

She added that in a letter to members of the agriculture committee this week, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan argues that the 12 week rule must continue to apply and that he stands ready to support the sector where there are major losses due to an outbreak of bird flu. The MEP said the EU "needs to look at this situation and find a more acceptable solution which addresses disease control measures and consumer demands for free range eggs".

Over 550 cases of the H5N8 strain of bird flu have been detected in wild birds and poultry in Europe since the first case relating to the current outbreak was discovered in Hungary at the end of October 2016.

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