Compulsory stables for poultry: Lüchow-Dannenberg reacts to animal disease

Compulsory stables for poultry: Lüchow-Dannenberg reacts to animal disease

There is currently concern about poultry populations in Lower Saxony. Because of the alarming spread of avian influenza, chickens and turkeys in several regions have to remain indoors. From Friday, poultry will be required to be kept in stables in the Lüchow-Dannenberg district, which is the 15th order of this kind in Lower Saxony. The veterinary office, headed by Katharina Schulze, is responding to the threat posed by the animal disease, which particularly affects cranes and other migratory birds. The regulation is aimed at all poultry farms with 50 animals or more and is intended to prevent wild birds from introducing or spreading the virus into the flock. This measure became necessary after several dead cranes and two pigeons returned positive samples for the virus, although the results still have to be confirmed by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute.

The situation is worrying and affects not only Lüchow-Dannenberg, but also other districts in Lower Saxony. A comprehensive stable requirement already applies in the regions of Emsland, Grafschaft Bentheim, Cloppenburg, Oldenburg, Ammerland, Vechta, Diepholz, Nienburg, Celle, Gifhorn, Uelzen, Heidekreis, Harburg and Stade. In other districts such as Rotenburg/Wümme, Peine, Wolfenbüttel and Salzgitter, individual orders were issued for certain companies in order to enable targeted measures. Agriculture Minister Miriam Staudte recently emphasized this when she informed about the challenges posed by bird flu.

Economic impact and demands

Poultry farming operators, who are under pressure to provide safety for their animals, are particularly affected. Staudte reported that eleven outbreaks have already been confirmed at various poultry farms since October, resulting in the culling of around 113,000 animals. In view of this situation, many poultry farmers are calling for nationwide compulsory housing in order to protect all animals from the dangers of nature. “That makes absolute sense,” confirms Friedrich-Otto Ripke, President of the German Poultry Industry. The economic balance could be strengthened by such a measure, especially since there is already a requirement for stables in the Netherlands and the companies there benefit from these requirements.

Another hotly debated topic is compensation for affected farmers. While there is an animal disease fund that provides compensation, the maximum rate of 50 euros per animal is considered too low. Staudte is therefore campaigning for an increase in this compensation. Hamburg has now also introduced compulsory housing for poultry, which does not make the problem any less urgent. In particular, prices for duck and goose meat could rise in the coming period due to the culling. So you're well advised to follow developments closely, because there's definitely something going on.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether the measures to combat avian influenza will bring the desired results. Local livestock farming will face major challenges here, and it looks like many farmers will have to prepare for an uncertain period.