A Cork farmer producing turkeys for the Christmas market has said it is a worrying time for those keeping poultry in the county, with two bird flu outbreaks in recent
months.
In late September a low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza was detected at The Lough, a popular walking spot in the city, while more recently a highly-pathogenic strain of the virus caused the closure of Fota Wildlife
Park.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Denise Healy who rears free-range turkeys in Carrignavar, outside the city, said she is “on tenterhooks” following the recent discovery of H5N1 avian influenza in
nearby Fota.
“It’s very worrying and I’m really concerned about it.
“The fact that it was so near us in The Lough and Fota being even nearer again, I’m on tenterhooks to
be honest.
“There have been loads of outbreaks up the country but there has been nothing highlighted in Cork.
Concern
“Ever since I started doing turkeys, which is about 30 years ago, I’ve never had it as close to me,” she said.
Healy was contacted by the Department of Agriculture to house her turkeys following the Fota outbreak, as were some other farmers
in the area.
A nationwide housing order is not in place at present.
Processing will begin on farm from 6 December, until then Healy is “on high alert”. “I’m just trying to mind them and keep them right. I’m minding them like babies at the moment,” she added.
In Kildare, Billy Gray of Feighcullen Farm, who produces turkey alongside other poultry, said bird flu is somewhat less of a threat at the moment where he is situated.
Billy Gray on Feighcullen farm in Rathangan, Co Kildare. \ Damien Eagers
“The part of the country we’re in, it’s what I would call a low bird flu area. I’m in Kildare, there wouldn’t be that many lakes and there wouldn’t be that many migrating birds, apart from Pollardstown Fen which is a natural spring migrating birds come to,” he said.
Processing for the Gray family, which will take place on-farm, is about four to five weeks away.
The Kildare farmer – who also has tillage, beef and sheep – said he believes if rules are strengthened in Northern Ireland, the south will follow suit.
Ministers announce new bird flu measures
Agriculture ministers in both Ireland and Northern Ireland have announced that mandatory biosecurity measures for poultry farmers will come into effect from this Saturday 1 November.
Among the measures announced in the south by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is that those with over 350 birds should only allow essential personnel into bird houses.
Denise Healy pictured her turkeys in Ballinaglough, Carrignavar, Co Cork. / Donal O' Leary
Biosecurity
By law, Northern Ireland’s avian influenza prevention zone (APIZ) announced by Minister for Agriculture Andrew Muir requires all poultry keepers in the jurisdiction to follow strict biosecurity measures from the same date.
While a housing order is not in place in Northern Ireland and bird gatherings are not prohibited at this stage, chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher said “this will be kept under constant review”.
This comes following a recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a farm in Omagh and anticipating the beginning of winter wild bird migration.
A Cork farmer producing turkeys for the Christmas market has said it is a worrying time for those keeping poultry in the county, with two bird flu outbreaks in recent
months.
In late September a low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza was detected at The Lough, a popular walking spot in the city, while more recently a highly-pathogenic strain of the virus caused the closure of Fota Wildlife
Park.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Denise Healy who rears free-range turkeys in Carrignavar, outside the city, said she is “on tenterhooks” following the recent discovery of H5N1 avian influenza in
nearby Fota.
“It’s very worrying and I’m really concerned about it.
“The fact that it was so near us in The Lough and Fota being even nearer again, I’m on tenterhooks to
be honest.
“There have been loads of outbreaks up the country but there has been nothing highlighted in Cork.
Concern
“Ever since I started doing turkeys, which is about 30 years ago, I’ve never had it as close to me,” she said.
Healy was contacted by the Department of Agriculture to house her turkeys following the Fota outbreak, as were some other farmers
in the area.
A nationwide housing order is not in place at present.
Processing will begin on farm from 6 December, until then Healy is “on high alert”. “I’m just trying to mind them and keep them right. I’m minding them like babies at the moment,” she added.
In Kildare, Billy Gray of Feighcullen Farm, who produces turkey alongside other poultry, said bird flu is somewhat less of a threat at the moment where he is situated.
Billy Gray on Feighcullen farm in Rathangan, Co Kildare. \ Damien Eagers
“The part of the country we’re in, it’s what I would call a low bird flu area. I’m in Kildare, there wouldn’t be that many lakes and there wouldn’t be that many migrating birds, apart from Pollardstown Fen which is a natural spring migrating birds come to,” he said.
Processing for the Gray family, which will take place on-farm, is about four to five weeks away.
The Kildare farmer – who also has tillage, beef and sheep – said he believes if rules are strengthened in Northern Ireland, the south will follow suit.
Ministers announce new bird flu measures
Agriculture ministers in both Ireland and Northern Ireland have announced that mandatory biosecurity measures for poultry farmers will come into effect from this Saturday 1 November.
Among the measures announced in the south by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is that those with over 350 birds should only allow essential personnel into bird houses.
Denise Healy pictured her turkeys in Ballinaglough, Carrignavar, Co Cork. / Donal O' Leary
Biosecurity
By law, Northern Ireland’s avian influenza prevention zone (APIZ) announced by Minister for Agriculture Andrew Muir requires all poultry keepers in the jurisdiction to follow strict biosecurity measures from the same date.
While a housing order is not in place in Northern Ireland and bird gatherings are not prohibited at this stage, chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher said “this will be kept under constant review”.
This comes following a recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a farm in Omagh and anticipating the beginning of winter wild bird migration.
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