Bird flu control is key for the economy as consumption of chicken meat in Italy is up to 19 pounds and egg spending up around 4-6 per cent.

Confagricoltura described the poultry as the only sector currently showing a ‘growing’ trend.

Doing so requires financial input to ensure the poultry sector is supported by the measures of the common agricultural policy, Confagricoltura has stated.

Compensation for damages to operators has been stated as a priority, although the organisation has praised the National Health Service and institutions of the European Union for the way the outbreak has been handled.

Now they want to see a direct focus in ensuring control in the original cause of infection.

They state that action is important because of the importance of Italy’s poultry sector at the European level.

Figures show national production at 1.2 million tonnes of meat and 13 billion eggs, worth €3.8 billion to the industry.