Farmers 'faces the grim task of euthanising entire flocks' - warning to Kilkenny poultry and bird owners

Sinn Féin TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food, Natasha Newsome Drennan TD, has issued an urgent call to poultry farmers following the confirmation of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in a commercial turkey flock in County Carlow and at Fota Wildlife Park.

Deputy Newsome Drennan raised the outbreaks directly with Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, in the Dáil, highlighting the severe threat to the poultry sector.

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Deputy Newsome Drennan said. "The confirmation of bird flu in a commercial flock of 500 turkeys in Carlow, and in Meath is devastating news for the farmers involved, who now faces the grim task of euthanising their entire flock. This underscores the critical and immediate threat facing our poultry sector."

‘’I welcome the Minister's confirmation that a national housing order will come into effect from Monday, but time is of the essence.

"I strongly urge all poultry farmers across the state not to wait. Every day matters in containing this this threat. Our counterparts in the North of Ireland have already implemented their housing order. If you have the facilities to house your birds now, you should do so without delay.

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"Alongside housing, we must immediately roll out the highest standards of biosecurity on all farms. This includes preventing contact with wild birds, disinfecting equipment, and controlling access to flocks.

"Avian influenza has the potential to cripple poultry farms across the state, with severe economic consequences. I welcome the Minister's stated commitment to supporting the sector in this challenging time, we need to ensure that farmers receive the swift support they need.