The resurgence of avian flu in the South West after a month and a half of calm is “unexpected and incomprehensible”, said the foie gras interprofession on Friday, faced with a multiplication of outbreaks despite a period of the year deemed less at risk. Marie-Pierre Pé, general manager of the foie gras interprofession in the South-West (Cifog), even speaks of a “surprise effect” when France had lowered the level of risk of avian flu by “high” to “moderate”.
The authorities reported on Tuesday 11 confirmed outbreaks in farms in the Gers and one in the Landes since May 4, the first cases since March 14, and proceeded to slaughter the animals concerned. In the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, “two strong suspicions” have been observed and health perimeters have also been set up. “It is the general dismay”, reacted Sylvie Colas, representative of the Peasant Confederation in the Gers, who even speaks of 17 farms concerned in her department.
All movement of animals suspended in four departments
“We had never had avian flu in May, normally it is in winter, she lamented. The farms are full. With the bad year 2022, duck producers want to stock up. “In addition to the measures taken by the State, Cifog has decreed the cessation of all movement of animals in the Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées, “ at least until Wednesday,” Marie-Pierre Pé told AFP. Either no entry of ducklings into the farms, no force-feeding and the cessation of flows with other departments.
In its monthly report, the European health agency Efsa confirmed on Friday a decline in the number of outbreaks among poultry in March and April in Europe, but stressed that seagulls continued to be “heavily affected by the virus”. Since the start of the epizootic last fall, six million poultry have been slaughtered in France, after the slaughter of 22 million poultry in 2021-2022.