Poultry producers in Co Monaghan are in a state of high alert this week following the suspected outbreak of avian influenza in a commercial flock in Co Tyrone. A nationwide compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds came into effect from Monday last, February 17. 64,000 birds on a commercial poultry farm in Dungannon have been culled following the suspected outbreak.
The housing order requires that all poultry and captive birds – whether in large commercial farms or small backyard flocks – be kept in secure, enclosed spaces that prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings. If housing is not available, alternative measures must be put in place to minimise exposure. “The risk of avian influenza to our poultry has increased recently, and I am taking this action to reduce the threat to our industry and to our poultry farmers’ livelihoods, ” Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD said when announcing the compulsory housing order. “Poultry and captive birds must be housed from Monday 17 February, as this will reduce the opportunity for contact…
