Farmers to be compensated for bird flu culls

Poultry farmers who have to cull birds as a result of the recent bird flu outbreak will be compensated, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by the Department of Agriculture.

The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled or to an animal product, animal feed or other items destroyed as part of the outbreak control measures.

While the compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or item, there is no cap on compensation that may be payable by the Department.

The level of compensation is calculated based on the breed, the age, the number of animals culled and the open market value of the poultry or captive birds.

Latest outbreak

This comes as the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu was confirmed on a third turkey farm in Monaghan on Monday, bringing the total number of turkeys affected to 39,390.

This follows outbreaks in Carlow and Meath last week. Prior to these outbreaks, November 2022 was the last time a bird flu outbreak occurred on a commercial poultry farm in Ireland.

The Department urges all poultry and captive bird keepers to observe strict biosecurity and be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and to report same to the Department via their local regional veterinary office.