what are the measures for poultry and game breeders?

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The bird flu is spreading across metropolitan territory, as indicated this Thursday, November 14, 2024, the prefecture of Hérault.

“The appearance of outbreaks of HPAI in livestock, combined with the detection of the virus in wildlife, has led the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry to raise the risk level to its maximum epizootic towards thehighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPIA). Preventive measures are being reinforced to protect poultry farms,” it is confirmed.

Six preventive measures

In order to improve the protection of livestock farms, the following bio-security measures must be implemented throughout the territory:

• confinement or protection by nets of birds kept in establishments with fewer than 50 poultry or captive birds: farmyards and zoos
• sheltering and protecting the feeding and watering of birds in establishments keeping more than 50 poultry
• Mandatory equipment for vehicles intended for the transport of waterflies over three days old using tarpaulins or equivalent preventing any significant loss of feathers and down by a full or empty truck
• ban on gatherings of poultry and captive birds
• ban on racing pigeon competitions until March 31, 2025
• restrictions on the transport of calling birds and a ban on the release of game birds of the Anatidae family.

These prevention measures complement the second compulsory vaccination campaign launched in France since October 1 for commercial farms keeping more than 250 ducks. Surveillance, biosecurity and vaccination are complementary pillars of HPAI prevention.

Real risk of contamination

The risk of contamination for livestock farms or farmyards in the Hérault department is real and general health prevention measures are more necessary than ever. All stakeholders, professionals and individuals (breeders, veterinarians, hunters, etc.), are invited to respect them.

Generally speaking, holders of poultry, ducks et game must declare themselves to the departmental population protection directorate (DDPP 34) and declare the movements of animals.

As a reminder, the strains of avian influenza currently circulating in France and Europe have no impact on human health, whether through contact with birds or through consumption of poultry meat, foie gras or eggs. , and more generally any poultry-based food product.

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