Avian flu: “In the event of a “sanitary” slaughter, on a herd like mine, the deadweight loss would be €80,000”

Avian flu is at the gates of Bigorre, while a case has just been detected in a duck farm in the South of Landes.

“On Friday, the health authorities decided to raise the risk level of avian flu from “moderate” to “high”, leading to the confinement of poultry throughout the metropolitan territory” underlines Michel Dubosc, elected “referent” of the poultry sector at the Hautes-Pyrénées Chamber of Agriculture. The situation is particularly sensitive around the Puydarrieux lake nature reserve, where Thierry Dubarry wears “both hats” as a breeder of Astarac Bigorre black chickens and a restaurateur at the Puydarrieux lake farm inn.

The activity of migratory birds vectors of the disease “is exceptional this year which increases the risks of spread” recognizes Michel Dubosc.

“The Astarac Bigorre is a sensitive animal that needs space”

For his part, Thierry Dubarry was quick to comply with national directives, in addition to the usual biosecurity measures, taking into account the specificity of the local breed.

“The black chickens of Astarac Bigorre are sensitive animals that need space,” explains the breeder. “So we cannot deprive them of their freedom overnight. We started by very significantly reducing the poultry’s routes. on perimeters of 50 to 60 m2 Then in a few days, we will confine the animals On our farm we are lucky to have seven buildings.

We will be able to separate the batches and reduce them from 600 to 300 animals per building. Added to this are reinforced biosecurity measures, such as restrictions on movement between breeders or access to farms. We must be particularly vigilant. I often have to tell farm inn customers that they cannot see the animals on their plate, at the risk of creating a certain frustration.”

Michel Dubosc adds that France is “the first European country to carry out mass vaccination of waterflies” with very strict specifications which ensure the traceability of the animals.

Essential draconian measures and a lesser evil to avoid the ultimate sanction of the “sanitary” slaughter of animals which would be an economic disaster, a few weeks before the Christmas holidays and the sale of festive poultry.

“In the event of a “sanitary” slaughter, on a flock of 4,000 poultry like mine, the deadweight loss would be €80,000, including €24,000 for the capons alone” underlines Thierry Dubarry.

No risk of contamination to humans

However, Michel Dubosc recalls that “there is no risk of contamination of the disease to humans and that the option of mass slaughter of animals taken by public authorities to avoid the spread of avian flu, has been reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These animals can still be slaughtered and consumed.

Unless there is a major change in the health situation, Thierry Dubarry the restaurateur can therefore continue to cook and serve the chickens of Thierry Dubarry the breeder. Good news for the customers of its farm inn who will be able to continue to enjoy its exceptional quality products.