December 2020
We face a repeat of 2017, as avian influenza sweeps through Europe’s wild bird population and onto farms. While free range producers have remained free of infections, some are trapped within the restriction zones battling to get movement licenses.
A housing order looks inevitable, and yet again, we will have to face the implications of the EU 16 week free range status rule. In 2017 producers were left hanging on a cliff edge while the industry tinkered with solutions, which presented itself in the form of over stickers and shelf signs. We need to prepare the solution should it be needed as I recall that retailers were not over keen on the over sticker solution.
Amidst all this, we also need to remember Salmonella is a serious and growing threat; DEFRA’s interpretations of the rules meant that the latest producer to test positive from a boot swab had no option than to cull after a further egg test was refused.