"UK poultry producers are battling a bad season of bird flu, with cases much worse than at this point last year, putting a squeeze on supplies of Christmas birds including turkeys, chickens and ducks. Two industry insiders said they expected supplies of all poultry to be tight ahead of the festive season, especially for organic and free-range birds, which are seen as the most vulnerable to infection."
"About 5% of the UK Christmas poultry flock, including turkeys, ducks and chickens, representing about 300,000 birds, are thought to have been culled so far this season. The current avian influenza outbreak has seen higher numbers of cases in the UK than last winter, although it is not yet as severe as 2022/23, which was the largest outbreak the country has ever experienced."
"Smaller retailers are likely to find it harder to source birds, or may have to put up prices for shoppers to cover their higher costs for securing stock. Certain producers have been very badly hit, said Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council. We are looking at increasing numbers of cases and it is a bad season, much worse than last year."
UK poultry producers are enduring a severe bird flu season with cases much worse than last year, tightening supplies of Christmas turkeys, chickens and ducks. Organic and free-range birds are particularly vulnerable, and heavier birds are being processed earlier to reduce infection risk. Around 5% of the Christmas poultry flock — about 300,000 birds — have been culled so far. The outbreak shows higher case numbers than last winter but remains below the scale of 2022/23. Major retailers are expected to secure stock via strong supplier agreements and higher advance payments; smaller retailers face sourcing difficulties or price rises. Several producers, including one that culled 48,000 turkeys, have been badly hit.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]