No bird flu restriction sales effect

Egg sales have not been significantly affected by bird flu restrictions, according to Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

Flock owners losing their free range status of birds, or eggs produced by them, since March 17, is not believed to have significantly affected sales.

Free range status was lost due to the requirement for flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access, remains in place until April 30.

One of the objectives is to protect poultry flocks from the introduction of avian influenza, and thus maintain the OIE avian influenza-free status of Ireland. This will ensure Ireland’s continued access to third country markets for poultry and poultry products.

All farmed birds were allowed return to the outdoors last week in the UK, with authorities declaring the move safe, given controlled biosecurity conditions, because migratory water fowl had returned to continental Europe, reducing the risk of flu infection.

On the Continent, only Germany and Lithuania have reported new cases of bird flu in April.