Dramatic bird flu situation threatens the existence of German poultry farmers
Friedrich-Otto Ripke, President of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG) warns: "It is not possible to foresee what course the epidemic will take when young wild birds come to us this autumn. The typical seasonal occurrence of avian influenza no longer seems to exist. We must speak of an endemic. This is a massive threat to livestock and wild bird populations."
A protective vaccination against avian influenza could help. Such is currently not available in Europe. The EU Commission has grasped the seriousness of the situation, wants to enable vaccinations against avian influenza and is currently revising animal disease legislation. “This is a good sign for our animal owners, who are already doing everything they can to protect their stocks with massive hygiene and biosecurity measures. The changed endemic situation shows that we also need a vaccination as soon as possible! This is also required by animal protection, because otherwise thousands of animals would have to be killed by force," demands Ripke.
In addition, it is immensely important to better understand the entry and spread paths of the virus and to identify secondary outbreaks, says Ripke: "Here, the nationwide gene sequencing of the viruses found is a very valuable tool - both in kept poultry and in wild birds. The reference laboratory at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute must therefore be provided with all the necessary resources and capacities.” The animal disease can only be successfully combated if politics, science, nature conservation and livestock farmers work together.
Security of supply for poultry products from Germany
"In all our efforts to counteract avian influenza with effective measures, we must not forget one thing: In the end, it is also about maintaining the security of supply of the German population with healthy, inexpensive and popular foods such as eggs and poultry. If, as a result of a shortage, imports of eggs and poultry meat from countries with significantly low animal welfare and sustainability standards increase, this cannot be in the common interest of consumers, politicians and the poultry industry," emphasizes Friedrich-Otto Ripke.
In order to maintain the competitiveness of the German and European poultry industry compared to other regions that already use vaccination, the possibility of importing vaccines should also be examined. The use of vaccination against avian influenza is also relevant for the preservation of hobby and breed poultry farming, which is also affected by outbreaks of the disease, with their cultural and historical significance.
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