Bird flu stabling required everywhere

Complete abolition of the stable obligation for poultry

04/02/2015

For months bird flu has kept authorities and poultry farmers in suspense. Among other things, the issue of a stable obligation should prevent the further spread of the pathogens. In most federal states, the chickens, ducks and geese are now allowed to return to the open air after no further cases of avian influenza have occurred in recent weeks.

In view of the fact that the avian influenza virus of subtype H5N8 has not been detected in both Thuringia and other federal states for weeks, and „The so-called Poultry Shelter Restriction Ordinance of the Federation expires on March 31, 2015. In agreement with Saxony-Anhalt, the obligation to stabling is abolished“, This is the message of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Thuringia. The decree ordering the compulsory housing of poultry for protection against avian influenza was thus completely abolished. „However, if a highly pathogenic variant of avian influenza is detected again, protective measures would be taken immediately“, so the message of the Ministry. "The stable obligation is canceled", was called further.

In Thuringia, only poultry that was kept close to the wetlands of the Kelbra reservoir and the directly adjacent Aulebener ponds in northern Thuringia were affected by the stable obligation. In the rest of the districts, the compulsory custody of the stable had already been abolished following a decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Furthermore, however, all poultry farmers are called upon to protect their existence by observing the so-called biosecurity measures. „These include, among other things, a controlled traffic of visitors and the suppression of the possibility for wild birds to come to potions and food of the domestic fowl“, so the official message. "If a contagious disease is suspected, the responsible veterinary office must be informed immediately." (Fp)

Image: BettinaF