Hungary Orders Poultry Inside as Bird Flu Protection
HUNGARY - Hungary's Chief Veterinarian Lajos Bognar has ordered poultry keepers across the country to keep their birds indoors, citing the risk of infection from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
3 February 2017
2 minute read
By: Hungary has suffered from a large number of outbreaks of the H5N8 disease strain, but other countries in Europe have also been badly affected. Several countries already have outdoor poultry bans in place, including Germany and the UK, with free range producers concerned about how this will affect free range labelling.
Hungary's housing order aims to reduce the possibility of farmed poultry coming into contact with wild birds, which can cause the disease to spread. If the poultry cannot be fully housed, the veterinary authority said the run must be adequately covered, and it reminded poultry keepers to report any symptoms of the disease.
The disease outbreaks are costing Europe dear, with millions of birds destroyed to prevent the spread of disease. Compensation arrangements are forming a large part of the cost for Hungary as 45 farmers were paid approximately HUF 1.16 billion.
