Avian flu vaccination to be allowed in the EU? France is asking for it
Although the poultry industry in the EU has taken a firm commitment to reduce the vaccines used in farms, the unusual characteristics of the latest waves of bird flu outbreaks that impacted the sector all over the continent may lead to other options for poultry producers in the block. Two vaccines against avian flu will be tested in France, according to French Minister of Agriculture Julien Denormandie. The goal is to endorse them for all 27 EU Member States, reported EUROACTIV. The French Minister of Agriculture did not provide detailed information on this matter but assured that the conclusions of the work on vaccinations would be presented to other member states.
French poultry farming is under heavy pressure from avian influenza. The region specializing in the production of ducks and geese is suffering heavy losses for the next season. French veterinary services are looking for all possible solutions to limit the spread of the virus. According to the latest information, French authorities have ordered the mass slaughter of poultry in the southwest of the country. The action of eliminating birds of various species has started and is going to be in place until mid-February. Around one million birds are to be culled, according to official data released by the Ministry of Agriculture.
So far, since November 2021, around 1.2 million birds in France have already been killed due to HPAI infection or preventive measures. Thus, in total, the poultry population in France will decrease by as much as about 2.5 million heads. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, this winter in France, 216 outbreaks of avian influenza have been identified. A year ago, France culled around 3.5 million birds, mainly ducks.
The country's poultry industry has been impacted by bird flu outbreaks continuously for the last 8 years. Poultry breeders in France are complaining that foie gras production is suffering the most from the export restrictions applied in their main export markets, such as Japan and China. The current legal status in the European Union basically prohibits the use of vaccines, such a practice is allowed only in exceptional cases with the consent of the European Commission. Nevertheless, France has set itself the goal of changing this area during its presidency, which will last until the end of June. Julien Denormandie believes that, in the long term, there is no solution other than vaccination.
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