News item | 22-10-2022 | 08:04
Bird flu was diagnosed on a turkey farm in Hedel (municipality of Maasdriel, province of Gelderland). To prevent the virus from spreading, the approximately 44,400 turkeys at the location are culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
There are no other poultry farms within a 1 kilometer zone. Within 3 kilometres, there are six other poultry farms. These will be sampled for bird flu and intensively monitored for the next 14 days for symptoms that may indicate bird flu.
Ten other poultry farms are located in the 10 kilometer zone. The transport ban applies immediately in this area. This company was culled earlier in March 2022 due to a bird flu infection.
Minister Piet Adema: “I think this is terrible. These measures have a huge impact – first and foremost for the animals, of course, and certainly not least for their keepers.
The bird flu situation is untenable. The unsatisfactory but honest story is that there is no simple solution. But know that the bird flu approach has my sincere attention and effort. For example, I am working on an intensification plan, including making vaccination possible more quickly.”
Transport ban
A transport ban applies to all birds and hatching and table 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 kilometer zone. For example, in this area it is prohibited to hunt ducks or to hunt in areas where this could disturb waterfowl. Where exactly this is can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
There are national measures, such as a ban on visiting bird roosts of risk birds, unless absolutely necessary. Birds at risk include kept gallinaceous birds (such as chickens), waterfowl and ratites.
Since 5 October 2022, the national confinement and screening obligation has also been in force. The confinement obligation applies to commercially kept birds, these are brought indoors (except pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites). A protection obligation applies to non-commercially kept high-risk birds (fowls/chickens, (ornamental) waterfowl and ratites), for example in zoos, petting zoos and owners of birds and chickens, and commercially kept pheasants, ornamental waterfowl and ratites. The NVWA website states: more information about the confinement and screening obligation. A ban has also been imposed on the display of poultry, waterfowl and ratites.
Traceability Investigation
As usual, in the context of the contamination at this location, a tracing investigation is carried out into high-risk contacts. If necessary, additional measures will be taken in response to 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).