Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/202012...s-ducks-poultry-agriculture-virus-cull-europe
Fourth outbreak of birdflu leads to cull of French 'foie gras' ducks
Issued on: 17/12/2020 - 16:13
Text by:
RFI
The fourth outbreak of bird flu in a month has been reported south-western France, with two sites for breeding ducks and chickens identified within an area already under surveillance, according to local authorities. France is among several EU countries forced to cull their livestock in recent weeks to curb the spread of the disease.
It's the second cluster of the H5N8 virus reported in the Landes area, near the town of Saint-Geours de Maremne. It falls within a “protection zone” established by local authorities earlier this month after two other outbreaks of bird flu were reported.
The first was on 8 December in Benesse-Maremne, the second on 9 December in Saint-Geours de Maremne, and then 12 December in Angresse. The four areas are within a ten-kilometre radius of one another.
A preventative cull was carried out in two phases, according to local authorities, the first for ducks that were being prepared for foie gras - France's world-famous pat?, followed by other animals.
In a separate development, on Monday; two other farms also reported cases of bird flu. One in Saint-Maurice-des-Noues in Vend?e in the west of the country and Saint-Sauveur in Deux-S?vres (central western region).
Duck breeders in southwestern France have been hit twice in recent years, sparking mass culls that cost producers hundreds of millions of euros...
Fourth outbreak of birdflu leads to cull of French 'foie gras' ducks
Issued on: 17/12/2020 - 16:13
Text by:
RFI
The fourth outbreak of bird flu in a month has been reported south-western France, with two sites for breeding ducks and chickens identified within an area already under surveillance, according to local authorities. France is among several EU countries forced to cull their livestock in recent weeks to curb the spread of the disease.
It's the second cluster of the H5N8 virus reported in the Landes area, near the town of Saint-Geours de Maremne. It falls within a “protection zone” established by local authorities earlier this month after two other outbreaks of bird flu were reported.
The first was on 8 December in Benesse-Maremne, the second on 9 December in Saint-Geours de Maremne, and then 12 December in Angresse. The four areas are within a ten-kilometre radius of one another.
A preventative cull was carried out in two phases, according to local authorities, the first for ducks that were being prepared for foie gras - France's world-famous pat?, followed by other animals.
In a separate development, on Monday; two other farms also reported cases of bird flu. One in Saint-Maurice-des-Noues in Vend?e in the west of the country and Saint-Sauveur in Deux-S?vres (central western region).
Duck breeders in southwestern France have been hit twice in recent years, sparking mass culls that cost producers hundreds of millions of euros...
