Over half of free range not restocked after AI

Over half of the free range units which had been infected by the HPAI H5N1 epidemic have chosen not to undertake any cleansing and disinfection and have closed their doors to all livestock for a minimum of 12 months, according to Government sources.

Classified information seen by the Ranger has shown that approximately 30% of infected free range farms have undertaken full secondary cleansing and disinfection while less – 12% - have followed a more limited form of cleansing and disinfection which allows the farm to continue operating as long as there are no poultry or pigs.

 

Full secondary cleansing and disinfection (C&D) to EU standards is a requirement for an infected premises which wishes to restock its sheds. This is referred to as Option 1. Under Option 1, a producer can restock after C&D has been signed off by APHA after 21 days and even in those circumstances there will be further observation and testing of the stock for a further 21 days.

 

Secondary C&D can only take place after an action plan has been agreed with APHA following a preliminary C&D undertaken by Defra/APHA. Secondary C&D is the responsibility of the producer and for many would be covered by insurance.  It is supervised and approved by APHA’s C&D Veterinary Officer and must be carried out in accordance with APHA’s instructions.

 

Every person or piece of equipment that comes onto farm must be licensed on and off by APHA to show, on leaving, that it has received a certificate of C&D before it leaves. This will be included within the Schedule of Works (EXD158) which must be completed with specific details of how the C&D process will work. Also included within it are detailed procedures for litter /manure removal and disposal; types of cleanser and disinfectant to be used; and wash-water handlings and disposal.

 

The data seen by the Ranger, which is specific to England up to the end of May, shows that the free range egg sector mirrored the poultry sector in general in that 30% of infected free range layer farms opted for Option 1. 21 days after secondary C&D has been completed, these units would have been able to restock and return to production.

 

Given the state of the free range egg market, it is no surprise that many producers have opted for Options 2 and 3 which prevents restocking with poultry for a minimum of 12 months. Under Option 2, the C&D is not so rigorous as the EU requirements under Option 1 as it follows global (OIE or WOAH) rules. Essentially this means the seven step process of C&D only takes place once, rather than being repeated again after 7 days as in Option 1. But it does keep options open to restock during the 12 months if the producer does want to restock and upgrade by following a higher level of Option 1 C&D.

 

Analysis by the Ranger showed that 20% of poultry farms went for Option 2. Drilling down into the detail of poultry type, the figure for free range layers was a little lower with 12% of farms which became infected premises (IPs) choosing Option 2. Given that Option 2 is a half way house between getting back into production as soon as possible (Option 1) or doing nothing for 12 months (Option 3), it would suggest that more free range producers had decided to definitely not return to production than other types of poultry producers, reflecting the poor prices in the sector.

 

56% of free range infected premises decided not to go back into production in the next year by plumping for Option 3, according to the Government data. Choosing this option initially provides a 14 day cooling off period but after that a producer will not be able to change his or her mind and has to mothball the farm for 12 months. The site stays under full restriction for a year with stringent rules on access and vermin control and no livestock production permitted. 

 

Following APHA’s preliminary C&D, the sheds are locked so that no livestock production can take place. APHA inspectors will regularly check that full vermin control is taking place and records are being kept. But after a year there is the possibility of going back into production without having incurred the cost of secondary C&D, which is a cost that many producers without insurance cover could not afford in the current economic climate.

 

BFREPA’s analysis of the flocks infected by the HPAI epidemic shows that just over one million free range and organic laying hens were culled since last October. The finding that over half of these flocks have not or are not restocking suggests that over half a million hens will be not in egg production for at least the next twelve months.