The Clare Chair of the IFA says he wants ‘strict’ guidelines implemented by the Agriculture Minister after an outbreak of bird flu in the North of the country.
3 thousand 800 turkeys are set to be culled after avian flu was detected in a flock in Monaghan.
The Department of Agriculture says H5N1 has been detected in a commercial turkey flock in Monaghan after samples tested positive.
Poultry keepers with flocks within the zones must comply with the requirements and confine all poultry and captive birds inside a secure building.
The Agriculture Minister says precautionary measures introduced to stop the spread of bird flu minimises the risk, but doesn’t make it go away.
Despite this Charlie McConalogue says he’s confident the supply of turkey and chicken this Christmas won’t be badly effected.
The Chair of the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association insists strict guidelines are needed quickly to contain the outbreak.
Ardnacrusha-based farmer Tom Lane is hopeful the disease can be contained, given the significant investment made by farmers in the poultry sector into their stock at this time of the year.
A Cratloe farmer believes the country has enough experience in managing diseases among livestock to overcome this latest outbreak.
Eddie Punch, who’s General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, says the development raises the importance of diversifying food stocks.
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