News item | 25-01-2023 | 19:26
Bird flu has been diagnosed at a laying hen farm in Abbega (municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, province of Friesland). To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 57,000 animals at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There are no other poultry farms within the 1 and 3 kilometer zone around the infected farm. There are 10 other poultry farms in the 10-kilometre zone. The transport ban applies immediately in this area.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies to all birds and hatching and consumption eggs from a location with birds. The ban also applies to bird manure and used litter, and to other animals and animal products from poultry farms.
In addition, rules apply to hunting in the 10-kilometre zone. For example, in this area it is prohibited to hunt ducks or to hunt in areas where this may disturb waterfowl. Exactly where this is can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
National measures apply, such as a ban on visiting bird habitats of birds at risk, unless this is absolutely necessary. Birds at risk include captive gallinaceous species (such as chickens), waterfowl and ratites.
Since October 5, 2022, the national confinement and shielding obligation has also been in force. The penning obligation applies to commercially kept birds, which are brought inside (except for pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites). A protective obligation applies to non-commercially kept high-risk birds (growls/chickens, (ornamental) waterfowl and ratites), for example in zoos, children’s farms and owners of birds and chickens, and to commercially kept pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites. The website of the NVWA contains more information about the confinement and shielding obligation. There is also a ban on exhibiting poultry, waterfowl and ratites.
Traceability investigation
In the context of the contamination at this location, a tracing investigation is carried out into high-risk contacts as usual. If necessary, additional measures will follow on the basis of the results of the investigation. Any additional measures will be reported via an update in this press release and via the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).