France allows poultry back outdoors as bird flu cases decline

FRANCE – France has lifted restrictions on keeping poultry indoors following a drop in bird flu infections.

The decision comes as authorities credit a nationwide vaccination programme introduced in 2023 to curb the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The country was the first major poultry exporter to roll out a large-scale vaccination campaign targeting farm ducks, which are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

France’s Agriculture Minister, Annie Genevard, informed lawmakers that the policy had been successful, enabling the country to regain bird flu-free status.

With the risk level now classified as moderate, authorities are allowing ducks to be reintroduced to outdoor farming conditions.

Impact on Poultry Industry

The French poultry sector has welcomed the move, saying it has supported production recovery despite trade restrictions imposed by some importing countries.

The vaccination campaign has helped France’s poultry production return to levels not seen since bird flu outbreaks led to the culling of tens of millions of birds.

The United States is also assessing a similar vaccination strategy as it deals with rising egg prices and bird flu transmission to dairy cows and farm workers.

Bird Flu Reaches New Species

While France reports progress, the United Kingdom has confirmed the first-ever case of bird flu in a sheep.

The infection was detected in Yorkshire during routine testing on a farm where the virus had previously been identified in poultry.

UK health officials stated that no other sheep in the flock tested positive, and the infected animal was culled as a precaution.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said strict biosecurity measures had been implemented at the affected farm.

She urged farmers to maintain high hygiene standards and report any unusual symptoms in their animals.

Bird flu has predominantly affected birds but has also been found in mammals, including foxes, otters, pigs, and cattle.

Scientists were surprised when the virus was detected in cows, as they were not previously considered highly susceptible to the infection.