Free range farmers are currently operating under confinement regulations due to the outbreak of bird flu, which has seen nine cases confirmed in Ireland.

Under EU regulation, there is only a 12-week window for free-range farmers to operate from the date the housing regulations are introduced until they lose their status. For Irish farmers, D-day is the 17 March 2017.

Out for a few hours

With the date fast approaching, free range farmers are worried about losing their status.

IFA poultry chair Nigel Renaghan told the Irish Farmers Journal a lot of investment has gone into the free-range poultry industry in recent years and losing money will not be viable.

"We can't stand idly by and watch farmers lose their incomes."

Nigel, who intends on meeting with the Department of Agriculture this week, said the new set-up in Germany is something he would like to see replicated in Ireland.

It has been agreed in Germany that free-range farmers will be permitted to allow their birds out for a few hours a day.

This enables them to keep their free-range status, and crucially, the supermarkets have agreed to continue to pay free-range prices.

"This situation is far from ideal, but it would be a positive move," said Nigel.

Cost to Irish farms

It is understood there could be €3/bird difference between free-range and housed birds, and could cost Irish farms in the region of €20,000 a month.

Co Cavan free range poultry farmer Thomas Fitzsimons, who is also on the IFA poultry committee, said such losses would not be viable, profitable or sustainable.

"Free-range birds are most resistant and resilient than other birds."

He added that any changes in status would "destroy the image of free-range farms."

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