The tenth case of bird flu has been confirmed in Ireland by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The highly pathogenic disease was detected in two whooper swans recently in Cloondroon Lake, Milltown, Co. Galway.
A total of three birds were submitted to the Department for testing, with only two showing a positive result for the H5N8 strain of the disease.
In the previous week a case of bird flu was identified in a whooper swan in The Sluggary, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary. It was the second case to be identified in the area.
While the Department does give the location of where the birds were found, it advises that this does not mean that the risk of introduction of the virus to poultry or other birds is confirmed to that immediate area.
Locations of the confirmed cases of bird flu in the Republic of Ireland. Source: Department of Agriculture
‘Free range’ status of eggs and poultry meat
The ‘free range’ status of eggs and poultry meat is at risk due to the compulsory housing order in place to protect against the spread of bird flu.
Under EU regulations eggs and poultry meat may continue to be marketed as ‘free range’ for up to 12 weeks from when the compulsory housing order is brought into effect.
Supermarkets need to support ‘free range’ poultry farmers, according to the Chairman of the IFA Poultry Committee Nigel Renaghan.
“Supermarkets must stand by poultry farmers and support them during this difficult period,” Renaghan said.
If eggs or poultry meat aren’t allowed to be marketed as ‘free range’ following March 17 it could jeopardise the income and livelihood of a number of poultry farmers in Ireland, he added.
Poultry farmers need to be supported, as they could be affected by circumstances that are outside their control, he said.