Free range birds still out but for how long?

The threat of a shut-in order for free range flocks is still hanging over the industry as Defra considers what steps need to be taken to stop the H5N1 virus reaching the UK.

But Defra is still not recommending that poultry farmers keep their birds indoors.

It says that bringing large numbers of free range birds indoors would create a significant welfare problem which would not be proportionate to the risk involved.

"We are keeping our risk assessment, and our view on what precautionary measures may be appropriate, under constant review," said a Defra spokesperson.

"However, outdoor flock owners should be vigilant for signs of disease, observe the highest biosecurity measures including not encouraging wild birds and plan for the need to keep flocks indoors should the need arise."

But following news that the disease had been confirmed in Turkey and Romania the European Commission is asking individual governments to step up measures to reduce the risk of introducing bird flu into EU poultry farms, including housing free range birds where necessary.

A meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) agreed that Member States would be required to take the "appropriate measures, according to national circumstances, to reduce the risk of avian influenza being spread from wild birds to domestic birds."

The committee recommended that "in particularly high risk areas, this could include keeping poultry indoors". Risk factors have been drawn up for applying these measures, which include identifying farms along migratory flyways and the distance from wetlands where migratory water fowl may gather.

When assessing the risk, account must also be taken of the density of poultry in an area and the degree of movement between holdings.

SCoFCAH says that "each Member State is responsible for identifying the high risk areas in their territory and ensuring that the appropriate measures to separate wild birds from domesticated birds are implemented as soon as possible."

Member states have been ordered to report back to the Commission by next month with details of the measures taken. Hungary, Poland and Germany have already ordered free range birds inside and France has now issued the lock-in order to farmers in 21 of the country's 95 regions.

BFREPA chairman Tom Vesey said he was supportive of Defra's current position on the risk to UK free range farms.

"We can doing nothing more than follow the official guidance from Defra which in turn is taking advice from its own experts on the risk," said Tom

"But if the call does come to lock-up flocks, whether it is on a regional or national basis, we will be seeking an assurance that the free range or organic marketing status of the eggs will not be affected."

The Soil Association remains strongly opposed to confinement of outdoor poultry.

"You have a situation where you are being told avian flu could reach here in a year, or five or 10. Do farmers have to keep their poultry inside all that time?" said the SA's Robin Maynard.