Bird flu hits Marburg-Biedenkopf: exhibitions canceled!

Bird flu hits Marburg-Biedenkopf: exhibitions canceled!

In Marburg-Biedenkopf, the focus of poultry farming is on a long tradition, which is now being severely affected by the acute threat of bird flu. The hobby breeders lovingly care for chickens, pigeons and ducks, which are usually cared for for regional and national exhibitions. But this year these prestigious events had to be canceled, including the 102nd State Association Show and the 60th State Association Youth Show. The state show of the Hessian regional association on November 8th and 9th in Alsfeld will also not take place. Breeders are facing a challenging time as animal health is a top priority and many prefer to keep their stock at home rather than send them to risky exhibitions. [op-marburg.de].

Bird flu continues to spread in Germany, with a dramatic increase in infections, particularly during the autumn bird migration period. According to the Tagesschau, over 200,000 farm animals have already been killed this year due to outbreaks of avian influenza, while the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) rates the likelihood of further outbreaks as high. The affected federal states extend across almost all of Germany, with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony particularly badly affected.

The situation of the breeders

The breeders in Marburg-Biedenkopf have great concerns that a sudden outbreak and the associated measures such as mandatory stables could worsen the already difficult situation. The costs of feed and vaccinations place an additional burden on breeders. Many hope that they can continue to keep their chickens outdoors as long as there are no government regulations prohibiting it. The uncertainty about the future development of bird flu accompanies breeders and could keep them on tenterhooks until Easter.

In order to prevent the spread of the virus, Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer appeals to poultry farmers to adhere to strict hygiene rules and avoid contact with wild birds. Shocking figures show that 15,000 animals were killed on a farm in Baden-Württemberg alone, while a further 20,500 turkeys were affected in Lower Saxony. Animal health is at stake and disease traceability urgently needs to be improved to protect agriculture from further damage. ZDF highlights that numerous breeders nationwide are calling for compulsory stables in order to prevent the further spread of bird flu.

There are currently vaccines against bird flu, but their use is subject to strict guidelines. There is no direct risk of illness for the individual; Nevertheless, the FLI recommends avoiding contact with dead birds. The primary goal remains to protect the animals and maintain traditional poultry farming in the country.