The hiring obligation for poultry due to bird flu has been lifted. The decision applies to Drenthe and a large part of the rest of the Netherlands. Agriculture minister Femke Wiersma (BBB) has announced this.
Last November the minister announced a national collection obligation due to bird flu at a chicken holder in Putten. In the meantime there are fewer and fewer wild birds with bird flu. After the advice of an expert group, Wiersma has made its decision to largely eliminate the lifting obligation.
Due to the large number of chickens held in the Gelderse Vallei region, the duty remains in force there. Also in the Oldenzaal region, where Newcastle Disease was found last week, chickens are not yet allowed outside.
The Ministry of Agriculture remains alert, despite the reduced risk. Wiersma says “the applicable measures to always match the current risk”.