The Government has decreed the mandatory confinement of all poultry raised outdoors in Spain due to the increased risk of contagion from avian flu. The crisis that has opened in this sector due to the presence of the avian flu virus is raising many questions among citizens, among them whether it will lead to an increase in the price of eggs or chicken and turkey meat. In this sense, a few days ago, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) warned of possible ‘collateral damage’ such as the rise in the price of eggs, which has increased by 50% in the last six months.
Experts, such as a well-known veterinarian content creator on YouTube, have already warned that the The price of eggs could reach 12 euros in less than a month. The confinement order, which is already published in the BOE and is immediately applicable, extends to the entire territory a restriction that until now affected 1,201 municipalities that were at special risk or “reinforced surveillance.”
You may be interested
The BOE launches new calls for oppositions with more than 2,000 places to be a public official
Thousands of workers will see a new deduction of up to 340 euros approved in the BOE on their payroll
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, coordinated by Luis Planas, explains that this decision occurs due to the increased risk of entry of the virus into Spain during the last week. Among the factors that could lead to this contagion are the number of outbreaks that have been reported in Europe, the geographical distribution and the migratory movements of wild birds.
“An abundance of migratory birds has been observed in wetland areas, which is common at this time of year and also the drop in temperatures facilitates the survival of the virus,” they point out from this area in a statement.
Birds intended for meat and eggs must be indoors.
The order requires that poultry, including those on organic farms, self-consumption farms or facilities intended for the direct sale of eggs and meat, be indoors. The objective is that they cannot interact with wildlife, which is the main way of contagion of the H5N1 virus.
Since June, 139 outbreaks of avian flu have been detected in European farms. In Spain, 14 outbreaks have been confirmed on farms, half in Castilla y León, in addition to 56 cases in wild birds and 5 in captive birds.
Although a lower incidence has been recorded than in previous years, the Ministry reminds that due to external agents, it is better to strengthen biosafety measures.
The BOE publishes new restrictions
This order incorporates new prohibitions, among which is the joint breeding of ducks and geese with other free-range species, the use of water that comes from tanks to which other wild birds have had access unless it has been treated to inactivate the virus.
Birds may also not be exhibited at fairs, livestock shows and cultural celebrations. Outdoor tanks must be adequately protected to avoid contact with waterfowl.
In cases where the characteristics of the farm prevent confinement, the autonomous communities may authorize the permanence of animals outdoors as long as bird netting or any other device that blocks the exit and access of wild animals is placed. Here, both food and water will have to be supplied from inside the farms or shelters.
The Spanish poultry sector, one of the most powerful in the European Union, once again faces restrictions that may especially affect organic producers and small farms whose activity depends on free-range farming. At the moment, the Ministry has not specified whether these measures will be accompanied by some type of financial support or how long the obligation to keep animals indoors will continue.