Intestinal integrity is a critical parameter in sustainable broiler production.

The paper, titled ‘Intestinal Integrity – a critical parameter in sustainable broiler production’, incorporates an extensive review of current scientific literature, led by SRUC’s Dr Marwa Hussein, and stresses the importance of closely monitoring and managing poultry intestinal health.

“The broiler industry is under pressure to meet sustainability challenges while increasing access to safe and affordable poultry meat,” said SRUC Professor Jos Houdijk, who co-authored the white paper.

He believes increased focus on intestinal health and integrity will contribute towards resolving these challenges in and advancing the poultry sector. “There have been big sustainability gains made thanks to genetic improvements, but maintaining this advantage is sensitive to gut health.

“A reduction in the Intestinal Integrity (I2) score for a current flock of broilers effectively cancels out years, if not decades of genetic selection,” he warned.

“The paper outlines the negative impact key intestinal diseases – such as coccidiosis, gizzard erosion, necrotic enteritis, and proventriculitis – can have on broiler performance through increased feed conversion ratio (FCR), morbidity and mortality,” the professor explained.

The objectives of the new white paper were to examine factors that affect broiler intestinal health, as well as to assess the value of Elanco’s Health Tracking System (HTSi) and I² index as a robust and practical means of achieving incremental improvements in this area. This will in turn positively impact bird performance and business profitability, Prof Houdijk pointed out.

Explaining how the index works, Elanco’s poultry technical consultant, Louise Ashworth, said: “The I² index is a unique, weighted index that gives flocks a score of between 0 and 100, based on 23 health conditions which are known to negatively impact intestinal health.

“For many farms, a score of 90 or below is an indication that poor intestinal health is having a significant impact on FCR and bird performance, and poorer I² scores are linked to a rise in antibiotic usage as well as an increase in the amount of feed, water and space required per kilo of poultry meat produced.”

Prof Houdijk added the paper provides clear evidence that the underlying conditions within the I² index lead to reduced feed efficiency and increased carbon footprint in poultry production.

“The consequences of this are an increased resource input for the expected output, more manure being produced, and birds taking longer to fatten – all of which contribute to the carbon footprint of poultry production.

“This white paper provides a valuable insight into why flock intestinal health matters and how the I² index can help producers improve the sustainability of poultry production,” he concluded.

The paper can be downloaded at: www.myelanco.co.uk/brand/htsi-intestinal-integrity-white-paper

The post New white paper underlines the importance of gut health in sustainable poultry production appeared first on Farmers Guide.

©Tim Scrivener Photographer

The event replaces the British Free Range Egg Producers Association’s conference, re-shaping the format into a one-day show with the popular Free Range Awards dinner taking place in the evening.

Visitors to the show will be able to meet with innovative businesses showcasing their equipment and services, as well as take part in workshops that will be running throughout the day. The seminar programme is open to everyone and will be exploring hot topics affecting producers and the supply chain.

©Tim Scrivener Photographer

“BFREPA Live 23 is set to be our best event yet with a new venue, new format, and more stand space than ever before,” says Kate Dickinson, BFREPA’s events manager. “This is an opportunity to come together as an industry and celebrate all the positive things we have achieved, as well as finding long-term solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges.”

Reflecting the difficult year that producers have had, BFREPA has made the event as affordable as possible for all producers.

Nominations for the Free Range Awards are open, with nine categories including producer of the year, national food business of the year, free range champion, and lifetime achievement.

The show is open to all producers – members and non-members of BFREPA – and any businesses connected to the sector.

Tickets are on sale through www.bfrepa.co.uk now.

The post Tickets on sale for BFREPA Live 23: The Free Range Egg Show appeared first on Farmers Guide.

The company’s UK commercial director, Norman Downey, said the new ingredient offers the same nutritional value as the previously used soya, meaning farmers can continue with current feed formulations.

Triple S soya meets the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) requirements for sustainably sourced soya. It is supplied from areas in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay that are guaranteed deforestation-free since 2008.

The move is also recognized by UK retailers as a step towards more sustainable sourcing of animal feed and increasing sustainability in the supply chain. Mr Downey added:

“Importantly, the soya in Triple S is also fully traceable to individual farms so the supply chain, including feed compounders and retailers, know exactly where it comes from. Also, its production is part of farmer-focused sustainability programmes.

“Each producer is independently audited and supported with agronomy advice and continuous improvement goals,” he continued. “Farmers must meet social, economic and environmental targets, set out under the Triple S production guidelines.”

Cargill UK’s pig and poultry diets, which are now formulated with 100% Triple S soya, are its Neopigg Max piglet diets and the pre-starter chick diet Neochicc.

The post Cargill Animal Nutrition shifts to sustainable soya in pig and poultry diets appeared first on Farmers Guide.

According to the latest scientific evidence and robust risk assessment by the relevant authorities, bird flu risk levels have eased off in recent weeks, which means poultry and other captive birds will no longer need to be kept indoors unless they are in a Protection Zone.

The decision also means that from 18 April, eggs laid by hens with access to outdoor areas can return to being marketed as ‘Free-Range’ eggs.

The UK and Europe have experienced unprecedented avian flu outbreaks over the past year and a half, with over 330 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021.

Although the risk of bird flu has been reduced to ‘medium’ for premises with poor biosecurity, the stringent biosecurity measures introduced as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will remain in force as infection may still be circulating in the environment for several more weeks. The risk of bird flu on premises with good biosecurity remains assessed as low.

Guidance suggests those who intend to let their birds out should use the next few days to prepare their outside areas for the release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents.

Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said: “Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe.

“It is thanks to the hard work of all bird keepers and vets who have played their part in keeping flocks safe this winter that we are in a position to take this action. However, the unprecedented nature of this outbreak has proven it’s more important than ever for bird keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity.”

To prevent the risk of future outbreaks, all bird keepers should apply enhanced measures at all times, such as:

• cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, minimising contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and using effective vermin control
• thoroughly cleansing and disinfecting housing on a continuous basis
• keeping fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and bird housing entry and exit points
• minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
• being vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seeking prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns.

As an additional precaution, Defra is also encouraging all keepers to register their flocks. This is a legal requirement for poultry keepers with 50 birds or more (poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeons (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants).

Registering flocks means the government will be able to contact bird keepers with information or action required should an outbreak happen near the premises. The government has recently announced a consultation on proposals to require all poultry keepers to officially register their birds (consultation closes at 23:45 on 31 May 2023).

According to the UKHSA, available evidence suggests the virus strain currently circulating in birds in the UK is unlikely to spread to people, with food standards bodies advising that avian flu poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers. Moreover, there is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.

Bird keepers should report suspected cases in England to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301, in Wales contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. In Northern Ireland contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office.

Members of the public are reminded not to touch dead wild birds and are encouraged to report such findings using the new online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).

The post Bird housing measures set to lift next week as avian flu risk levels subside appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Stock photo for illustration purposes only.

Since October 2021, there have been over 330 cases of avian influenza confirmed across the country. To protect flocks from the disease, Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZs) are currently in force across the UK with additional mandatory housing measures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The work of APHA scientists and staff has been pivotal in supporting avian influenza diagnostics and disease control and has helped protect animal and public health as well as international trading relationships.

In recognition of these achievements, HM The King is today visiting the APHA Weybridge facility to meet the staff and learn about ongoing research programmes. His visit includes a full tour with briefings on some of most difficult animal health diseases in the world, such as avian influenza and bovine TB, as well as plant health challenges including invasive species.

In addition, he is also undertaking a tour of APHA’s dedicated specialist research laboratories conducting work on genome mapping and a mosquito laboratory where he will learn about the organisation’s vector-borne disease (VBD) programme.

Lord Benyon, Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs, acknowledged the APHA’s long-standing reputation for excellence in the field of biosecurity and its role in supporting Britain’s economy and food security.

Commenting on the His Majesty’s visit, Lord Benyon said: “I’m pleased we can use today to showcase our specialist world leading facilities.”

Also ahead of attending the visit, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

“Today’s visit really is about recognising the last 18 months of remarkable work and the APHA staff who have worked day in and day out to help control and manage the spread of avian influenza.

“The scale of avian influenza outbreaks across the UK and Europe has been unprecedented and our response has been underpinned by the world-leading science and disease control work carried out at Weybridge,” she added.

As part of its commitment to the highest standards of biosecurity, the government has invested heavily in the Weybridge facility, including £1.4bn funding to support the Science Capability in Animal Health Programme.

Proud of the tireless work APHA staff has been doing to tackle avian flu over the last two years, David Holdsworth, Chief Executive Officer of APHA, said: “I am pleased to welcome His Majesty The King to Weybridge to meet with APHA staff from Scotland, Wales and England and see first-hand the incredible work they do.

“I am proud to showcase our world-leading scientists, field teams and staff and the role they play in protecting the country.”

Alongside the Government’s continued investment in the Avian Influenza National Reference Laboratory and APHA’s Weybridge site, Defra and the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC) fund an eight-strong consortium ‘FluMap’ led by APHA that so far received £1.5 million in funding to develop new strategies to tackle avian influenza outbreaks.

During his visit, HM The King is also meeting APHA staff who were instrumental in helping those fleeing from Ukraine to safely bring their pets into the UK while keeping the country safe from diseases such as rabies.

The post HM The King to congratulate APHA on combatting largest-ever avian flu outbreak appeared first on Farmers Guide.

For nearly a decade, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) has been hitting the road each year to meet members and get their feedback on some important projects that aim to improve egg prices and contracts available to producers.

This year’s Wales meeting, taking place in Llandrindod Wells on 2^nd March, saw around 30 producers gathered to get the latest scoop on egg prices and contract agreements and offer their input to ADAS and BFREPA.

Following a brief welcome by the association’s vice-chairman Trevor Sellers, ADAS livestock consultant Fede Monte presented how monthly costings are calculated for the industry and invited members to offer their views on how the figures can be improved.

The BFREPA costings have been compiled independently by ADAS for the past nine years, originally for benchmarking purposes, and are updated every month. They are being used increasingly by the government, retailers and packers in monitoring the egg supply chain and developing improved egg supply agreements.

At present, the costings are based on the following financial indicators:

• A multi-tiered unit housing 32,000 birds
• Eggs per bird housed to 76 weeks: 335 (average), 348 (high-performing)
• Feed consumption gm/bird/day: 126
• Mortality rate: 8%
• Capital investment per bird: £42.00
• Producers capital investment: £1,344,000
• Annualised margin per bird: £1.13
• Year 1 – return on capital: 2.7%

Ms Monte explained that, to provide producers with a clearer picture of egg prices, the costings now also show the price/dozen eggs as well as the usual £/bird format. Moreover, certain costs that are more volatile, such as feed, pullet and electricity prices, are reviewed more frequently than others.

To account for the high variability in the industry, the costings show prices for both average and high-performing flocks (top 25%). While they might not feel representative to many producers, ADAS has been working hard to provide accurate figures for the industry as a whole. Taking more averages would mean retailers could choose the ones that are right for them when it comes to contracts, putting producers at a disadvantage, Ms Monte added.

With regards to capital investment per bird, the £42 figure is based on an existing establishment that was built 5-10 years ago, Ms Monte explained. She acknowledged that startup cost for a new entrant today would be around £2 million with £50/bird capital investment, and said ADAS is looking at creating a budget for new producers coming into the industry.

Highlights from March 2023 costings

Based on discussions with UK pullet rearers representing 70% of the industry, ADAS has calculated an average price of £5.24 for birds at 16 weeks of age. Ms Monte noted the price is low at the moment and is going to go up in over the coming months.

Meanwhile, feed prices stand at £369.73/tonne on the sheet, equivalent to £19.57/bird or 70.09p/doz in an average flock. In response to comments from the audience, Ms Monte clarified the prices are a mere snapshot of the time ADAS calculated them and not the real-time figures.

Bird feed price change over the last 12 months based on ADAS costings.

In terms of labour, the latest costs issued by ADAS are £2.77/bird or 9.93p/doz based on two full-time equivalent staff working 7 days a week, receiving just over national living wage. The calculations take into account holiday replacement (extra 11%), NI and pension contributions but not sick pay, Ms Monte said.

She added, that as with other costs, there is a lot of regional variation, and the figures will inevitably be too high or too low for some producers.

Meanwhile, electricity cost excluding renewables was calculated at £1.36/bird or 4.87p/doz based on a usage of 4KwH/bird. According to Ms Monte, the unit price of electricity has been extremely volatile in the last few months, but has stabilized somewhat recently.

From the remaining costs, she highlighted the price of insurance (£0.30/bird or 1.07p/doz) is not currently representative, as it doesn’t include coverage for avian flu (AI). She added future costings will include a separate line for AI and potentially salmonella insurance.

With all 20 cost items, total input costs for March 2023 came to £36.84/bird or 131.98p/doz when depreciation and interest were added in. Due to egg prices having gone up an additional 10p in the last month, ADAs has finally been able to show a profit for the first time in seven years, Ms Monte announced.

The graph below shows how the cost of production (green) and return (red) figures have changed over the last 12 months, up to February 2023. As of March, the figures have crossed over, showing a profit of £0.36/bird or 1.30p/doz.

Cost of production and return figures in the free range egg sector over the last 12 months. Credit ADAS

Ms Monte highlighted that input costs for free range egg producers have gone up 17% and returns 35% since January 2022, when the difference between costs and returns was around 22p/doz.

Moreover, the industry saw the highest losses to date (41.18p/doz) in May/June last year, when average input costs were at an unprecedented 134.94p/doz with returns as low as 93.76p/doz.

Part of the reason for the increase in egg prices, vice-chairman Trevor Sellers said, is BFREPA making the case for producers and pushing for higher prices throughout the past year. As a result, he concluded the industry is “not too far out on costings”, which shows promise for the future and will hopefully bring more new entrants into the sector.

Now is the time to negotiate for better contracts

Once the discussion on costings wrapped, BFREPA CEO Robert Gooch provided members with an update on Defra’s informal review of contracts in the egg supply chain and recent progress on improving producer contracts.

He also asked members to share their preferred types of egg supply agreements so BFREPA can make more of those contracts available to producers.

Mr Gooch stressed the importance of bedding ADAS costings into contracts, so packers and retailers are aware of where producers stand financially and a healthy margin can be agreed upon. Hence, it is vital that costings remain accurate and relevant to the industry so full credibility can be claimed, he added.

As part of their campaign for higher egg prices, BFREPA has been working closely with the farming and retailer press on making producers’ voices heard. Now that prices are going up, Mr Gooch said the aim is to lock them in to avoid a repeat of last summer.

“The question now is, how we get lock in using those costings as a basis for a sustainable, long-term future for free range egg producers and production,” he said.

According to the CEO, costings will be increasingly important in the transition to Cost of Production (COP) contracts in the future. These contracts are highly advantageous for producers, as contractors are required to pay for all of the allowed expenses in addition to a payment to enable profit.

Mr Gooch said the industry is seeing more and more COP-type contracts being offered and emphasized farmers should take advantage of the current shortages to negotiate for better contracts.

At the time of writing, contracts available to producers include:

• Variable price
• Fixed price
• Feed tracker
• COP tracker
• Bed & breakfast – only available from one packer so far

Elaborating on B&B contracts given they are quite new to the industry, Mr Gooch explained they reduce the risk to producers and include electricity, post clean down, audits, AI insurance as well as depletion and inflation. Meanwhile, items excluded from the agreement include litter, shed clean down, general insurance, biosecurity and chemicals, amongst others.

In addition, B&B contracts also have a bonus structure that rewards farmers for higher performance.

“One of the downsides is you can’t sell your own eggs at the farm gate, but you can buy them back at cost price from the packer and sell them at the gate once they’re fully packaged and ready to go,” Mr Gooch explained.

He also reminded members that contracts should be tailored to the risk profile and gearing of individual businesses. While the risk goes down when choosing contracts further down the list, these agreements might also bring lower returns, he added.

Once again, the CEO encouraged members to only sign contracts that suit their needs, as packers are currently desperate for supply and are keen to offer producers what they want.

“Please use this time to negotiate and push for what you want and don’t feel like you have to sign anything that you’re not completely happy with.”

While egg shortages are forecasted to last beyond the next 12 months, Mr Gooch cautioned that production will eventually go back up and urged members to choose contracts wisely.

“Although we’re making a profit now, there are a lot of sheds empty at the moment, and it’s likely eggs are going to be cheaper again next year,” he remarked.

With the poultry sector being in a constant cycle of ups and downs, it is ultimately the producer’s view of the future and risk tolerance that determines what type of contract they need, Mr Gooch pointed out.

Due to the volatility of prices, long-term variable price contracts are most likely to be susceptible to making losses for farmers. Whereas, fixed price contracts can guarantee a margin for the duration of the agreement, allowing producers to plan their business accordingly, he explained.

In his closing remarks, Mr Gooch established there is a crisis of confidence about contracts among free range egg producers, and BFREPA wants to make sure contracts are improved in the near future. He said retailers are more and more keen to realigning the supply chain and communicating more with producers about their needs.

A healthy margin is paramount for long-term sustainability

Members gathered at the BFREPA meeting in Llandrindod Wells agreed a healthy, stable margin is needed rather than ups and downs for free range egg production to be sustainable in the UK. Some called for an average egg price of at least £1.50/doz, others expressed the need for a margin as high as 25%.

One member also pointed out the UK has one of the lowest demands for eggs in Europe, with a figure of 199 eggs/person/year as opposed to the 230 average. Therefore, the question was raised, “How could free range eggs be better promoted to UK consumers?”

Addressing the question, Mr Gooch said BFREPA has been conducting a small campaign trying to promote eggs, however, it’s dwarfed by the campaign of the packers organisation BIC that has invested £2 million into the cause so far.

Concerns regarding cheap imports and products such as plant-based eggs flooding the market were also raised during the discussion. BFREPA vice-chairmen Trevor Sellers said retailers are currently importing Italian and Polish eggs, and there’s a real risk of British producers suffering further losses if those countries manage to eliminate avian flu first.

Finally, he urged members to prepare for a potential oversupply in the market and take steps to improve their production and business resilience in the time between.

The post A first in 7 years: ADAS costings show profit for free range egg producers appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Abbie, 28 and Andy, 26, farm 37ha of land in Long Melford, Suffolk, with some additional grazing sites in the local area. They have around 50 head of cattle – all native breeds including Shorthorns, Galloways, Red Polls and various native crosses – and 40 Wiltshire horn sheep.

The couple, who farm under A&A Livestock and are strong advocates for regenerative agriculture, have now added egg production to their repertoire, currently keeping 40 chickens. All meat and eggs from the farm are sold direct to local people.

Since starting their full-time farming journey about a year ago, like most farmers, Abbie and Andy have faced a range of challenges – including the summer 2022 drought and rising input costs, which forced them to take on part-time jobs in addition to running the farm. We caught up with Abbie to find out more about her year…

Q. What have been your biggest challenges over the past year?

A. I raised some orphan lambs last year and it was my first time doing so. Everyone told me it was going to be hard work and it certainly was! I found the lack of sleep and the constant feeding routine very challenging. Although it was lovely to watch them grow and flourish, I’m not sure I’d do it again!

A lot of farmers struggled last year with the drought – I know we did. We had to keep our animals moving onto fresh grass, although a lot of the grass was dying. It was challenging and we couldn’t wait for rain, which thankfully came in time for us to get some grass growth before winter.

Also, the cost of everything has gone up and, as farmers starting from scratch, it was difficult for us financially. We had to be careful with money and both got part time jobs at a local vineyard to help. This obviously limited time for us to work on the farm and meant we had to get much better with time management.

Q. Has it been difficult to start an egg enterprise given the difficulties with energy costs and avian flu?

A. The way we run our chickens means this hasn’t affected us as badly as some. We’re fortunate enough to have had a system that already contained our birds in a massive outdoor run. The price of chicken feed going up has affected us, however. We’ve needed to up our eggs prices to be able to afford feed. Having said that we are very much looking forward to when the [housing order] is lifted.

Q. Regen ag is an important part of your business. How is this journey going?

A. We still fully support and farm using regenerative practices. We use a mixture of grazing techniques depending on the weather and season. Our aim is to heal the soil and encourage biodiversity. We fence and graze a hectare at a time – our cattle and sheep know the drill and easily move from one paddock to the next. We tend to graze that paddock for a few days before we move them into the next paddock. This prevents over grazing and encourages the plant life to continue to grow – as well as spreading organic matter across the land.

We graze sheep and cattle together as they’re dead-end hosts for each other’s parasites as well as having different grazing styles. We also outwinter our stock and only feed grass and hay.

Q. Do you sell your eggs and meat straight from the farm? What are the pros and cons of this?

A. We sell our eggs in our local village and our beef and lamb directly to the public – only to those who are local to Suffolk. We are very lucky and grateful that a lot of our customers follow our journey through our social media pages, Facebook A & A livestock and Instagram a_and _a_livestock. When we have meat available, we advertise it on our social media platforms.

This has worked extremely well for us as our customers can see where their food comes from via our media pages and follow our journey. Being able to set the price and do all the marketing and selling ourselves really gives us freedom and control over our produce.

Unfortunately, being a new business and still small scale, we find we struggle to meet demand which is a nice problem to have. Also, not everyone uses social media so this leads to missing out potential customers.

Q. You have over 16,000 Instagram followers. Were you surprised by the following you’ve amassed?

A. I originally started an Instagram page as I’d seen other people not from a farming background showcasing their journey into farming, so I decided to do the same. We have a mix of followers, some from farming backgrounds, some people wanting to get into farming. I know our fantastic customers keep up to date with our pages. Part of the reason for posting on social media is that we want to connect people to where their food comes from.

We’ve been surprised and humbled by the following we’ve gained. I love getting messages from people asking for advice on how to start their farming journey because I like to use the page to encourage others to get into the industry and follow their dreams like we did.

Q. What are your plans for 2023 and beyond?

A. We have big plans to expand our grazing and our livestock numbers. We’d love to hatch more chickens and build our egg production numbers. Regenerative farming is still key within our ethos and how we plan our future in farming, so to keep learning and exploring new ways to improve our system is very important to us.

We plan to have more beef, lamb and eggs for our customers available more regularly all year round. Getting a milk cow, ducks and some pigs for ourselves is definitely on the agenda as being self-sufficient is something that we both want to achieve.

In the next few years, we are planning to buy some land of our own to slowly build up our own grazing and farm. We plan to keep updating and posting on our social media to encourage others to follow their dreams and connect people back to where their food comes from.

The post Suffolk couple share their story of a challenging first year in farming appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Official data shows H5N1 has been confirmed in five red foxes and four Eurasian otters in the UK between 2021 and 2023. Cases were confirmed in Durham, Cheshire East and Cornwall in England; Powys in Wales; and Fife, the Isle of Skye, and the Shetland Islands in Scotland.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) told the BBC it has recorded 119 outbreaks affecting mammals, with around 200 individual cases – and the spread to mammals is thought likely to be under-reported.

Meanwhile, there has been one confirmed human case of H5N1 in the UK since the current outbreak began in October 2021.

Responding to news reports, Defra said there is ‘very low likelihood’ of widespread infection in GB mammals.

‘We are talking about isolated incidents where mammals have come into very close contact with the virus. Infection of mammals with influenza of avian origin remains uncommon and the risk of the H5N1 strain to non-avian UK wildlife remains low,’ Defra said in a blog post.

Professor Ian Brown, director of scientific services for the Animal Plant and Health Agency, said: “We have found that this can jump into other species, but this is still a bird virus that wants to be in birds.

“These animals, these are wild mammals that scavenge on dead and sick birds – these mammals are being exposed to a lot of viruses. These are dead end infections, they cannot currently travel between the mammals.”

However, Prof Brown is quoted by BBC News as saying: “The virus is absolutely on the march”, adding that greater international action is needed to tackle its spread.

“The global spread is a concern. We do need globally to look at new strategies, those international partnerships, to get on top of this disease. If we don’t solve the problem across the globe, we’re going to continue to have that risk.”

Commenting on the risk to human health, the UK Health Security Agency, which said it is closely monitoring the disease, advised that there is no increased risk to the general public from avian flu, and that the viruses do not spread easily to people.

The UK’s national avian flu taskforce is now ramping up its surveillance of avian flu in mammals – as well as genome analysis on the virus and its spread in wild bird populations globally.

Compulsory housing is in force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There have been 166 cases of H5N1 since October last year, and 279 since October 2021.

The post Avian flu: Should we be concerned about spillover into UK mammals? appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Defra declared a regional avian flu housing order for Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex on 12^th October due to high levels of avian influenza H5N1 in those areas.

Compulsory housing followed for the whole of England on 7^th November, extending to Northern Ireland on 28^th November and Wales on 2^nd December.

Scotland has not yet declared a housing order.

The 16-week derogation will end for parts of East Anglia on 1^st February, but the British Egg Industry Council has agreed that labelling will change across the UK to avoid operational difficulties.

As a result, all free-range eggs will be labelled ‘barn eggs’ from today (1^st February).

Since October 2021 the UK has experienced its worst outbreak of avian influenza to date. There have been 166 confirmed cases of H5N1 in the UK since 1^st October 2022 – and 279 cases in England alone since the outbreak began in October 2021.

The post Avian flu: All free range eggs now labelled ‘barn eggs’ appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Stock photo for illustration only.

2 Sisters said the plant is ‘old, one of our smallest sites and lacking space to be efficient’. It would require significant investment to match the standards of its other factories, and products can be made more efficiently elsewhere, according to the review.

The firm is proposing to cease operations at the factory, which employs 730 people, putting the site at risk of closure.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales described the news as “a blow for the local community, the economy and for food processing in Wales”.

FUW chief executive Guto Bebb said: “We are naturally concerned about the impact this will have on our food supply chains as we are losing another food processing site in Wales.

“This will have consequences with regard to limiting food miles and sustainability and urgent action is required to address the lack of food processing facilities in Wales.”

2 Sisters said in a statement: ‘Clearly this will be extremely disappointing news for our Llangefni colleagues, and it is no reflection of their continuing hard work and commitment. However, we have a duty to remain competitive and protect our wider business on which many thousands of people depend.

‘Our key priority now is to hold meaningful consultations with all affected employees and their representatives and explore the full range of options before making any final decisions about the closure of the site.

‘These options will include all redeployment opportunities in the region with the help of all relevant support agencies, both inside and outside the business.’

The post 2 Sisters to close Welsh poultry plant appeared first on Farmers Guide.