100,000 birds culled after farm avian flu outbreakson November 16, 2022 at 9:46 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

NFU Scotland said a farm in Ayrshire and two premises in Aberdeenshire had been affected.

chicken

More than 100,000 birds have been culled at three Scottish farms amid the UK’s worst avian flu outbreak.

Ayrshire farmer Billy Robb told BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme he lost 32,000 hens last week.

And the National Farmers Union revealed 72,000 birds had been “taken out” at two farms in Aberdeenshire in the last 10 days – taking the total to 104,000.

Last month just four avian flu cases were recorded in Scotland, compared to 80 in England.

It comes as 12 swans were believed to have died from bird flu after being found in a Glasgow park on Tuesday.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is also aware of three non-commercial, two in Orkney and one on Lewis.

Since 7 November all poultry and captive birds in England must be kept indoors, but Scotland’s chief vet said these strict rules would not be replicated north of the border.

Mr Robb said the situation was “crazy”.

“Our birds might have survived if they had been shut in a week or so before,” he said

Mr Robb said he suspected his hens were infected by migrating Canadian geese which stopped at a marsh on his farm.

He added: “This is definitely the worst the poultry industry has seen.”

“I have been doing this job for 30 years and my father-in-law farmed for 40 years before that.”

billy robb

Mr Robb said farmers were not able to put prices up and had to rely on what retailers were prepared to pay, despite challenges posed by soaring feed and energy costs.

As a result, he warned: “There is going to be a shortage of eggs for the whole of next year.”

Some shops including Asda and Lidl have started to ration the number of boxes of eggs customers can buy due to supply issues.

Asda said customers would be limited to buying two boxes of eggs until further notice, while Lidl is limiting customers to three.

Scotland’s chief vet defended the decision to allow captive birds to remain outdoors in Scotland.

Sheila Voas told BBC Scotland she was “following the science”, saying there had been 100 outbreaks in England, but just six in Scotland since 1 October.

She added: “Potentially housing would help, but housing is much less effective than improved biosecurity generally.

“The decision to house birds across the whole of Scotland has to weighed against the negative impact on welfare.”

In addition to the farm cases in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, Ms Voas also confirmed the three “back yard premises” affected – two on Orkney with a small number of birds and one on Lewis with about 200 birds.

Eggs - stock shot

Image source, Getty Images

Robert Thompson, of NFU Scotland’s poultry review working group, said the union had warned major retailers in spring about rising production costs and potential shortages.

He said: “It was well documented that we were facing a major crisis and that crisis has now happened.”

“By February we reckon there will be 7.9m less hens, so if you are out of eggs now they are going to be very scarce by spring.”

The latest outbreak of avian flu is the largest seen in the UK to date, and has affected the wild bird population as well as commercial and backyard flocks.

The Scottish government said the disease was also affecting wild bird populations elsewhere in the world, and it had published updated advice on the reporting, collection and safe disposal of wild bird carcases.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware that there are a number of issues affecting egg supplies, such as the impact of Avian Influenza on all commercial flocks, the cost of living increases and a number of other issues, including labour shortages across all sectors of the industry.”

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

US Open: Ons Jabeur beats Ajla Tomljanovic to reach semi-finals for first timeon September 6, 2022 at 9:32 pm

Fifth seed Ons Jabeur ends Ajla Tomljanovic's run to reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time.Fifth seed Ons Jabeur ends Ajla Tomljanovic's...

Aslef overtime ban sparks reduction in train serviceson July 3, 2023 at 7:50 am

Fifteen train companies based in England will be hit from Monday to Saturday this week.Image source, EPABy Katy Austin & Jemma DempseyTransport correspondent &...

EU allows get-out clause in Russian gas cut dealon July 26, 2022 at 3:26 pm

EU members agree to reduce gas use, but some including Ireland, Malta and Cyprus can seek exemptions.Image source, Getty ImagesEU energy ministers have agreed...

EasyJet Spain cabin crew set to strike in Julyon June 21, 2022 at 1:38 pm

Flight attendants may walk-out for nine days in July, adding to holiday woes for travellers.Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA WireUnions have called for EasyJet cabin...

Bottas takes surprise Mexico City GP pole as Red Bull lose paceon November 6, 2021 at 10:12 pm

Mercedes turns the form book on its head as Valtteri Bottas leads Lewis Hamilton to a one-two in qualifying at the Mexico City Grand...