Belgium is officially free from bird flu. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH-OIE) has approved a declaration of disease-free status submitted by our country. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) reports this on Friday.
Bird flu has been present in Belgium since an infection was detected in a wild bird on 11 November. There were subsequently dozens of infections in wild birds, and six outbreaks of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) were eventually identified in hobby and professional poultry farmers, with the last case on 29 March.
During the bird flu period, Belgium lost its virus-free status with the World Organization for Animal Health, leading to severe restrictions on the export of poultry and products. “Restoring our free status will make it possible for many embargoes to be lifted and for our exports to be restored,” says the FASFC.
David Clarinval (MR), federal minister of Agriculture, also says he is pleased that Belgium has been declared disease-free again at international level. “As professionals are already experiencing enough difficulties in the current economic context, the restoration of free status is really good news,” he says.
The FASFC calls on you to remain cautious. “The virus is still actively circulating in wild bird populations in Europe and the risk of contamination for poultry and bird farms remains real,” the agency said. At the end of April 2021, Belgium had already been declared bird flu-free, but that status was withdrawn a few months later.
A few weeks ago, the obligation to keep poultry in cages was also undone.
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