British poultry farmers are urgently calling on the government to permit vaccination of their flocks as bird flu continues to spread across the country, with 25 farm outbreaks recorded since October.
Currently, vaccination against avian influenza is not allowed in the UK, where authorities maintain that biosecurity measures and culling are the most effective control methods.
The appeals come amid growing anxiety in the farming community, despite overall virus levels remaining below the peaks of recent years.
A bird flu prevention zone enforcing strict hygiene standards has been declared across England, Wales and Scotland in response to rising cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Chicken and eggs are safe to eat if properly cooked, according to Defra guidance
PA
Farmers in Shropshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk are required to keep their birds housed under mandatory rules.
Biosecurity restrictions are in force across England, Wales and Scotland as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) maintains that the risk to humans remains low.
Chicken and eggs are safe to eat if properly cooked, according to Defra guidance.
A cross-government and poultry industry taskforce is examining the potential use of vaccines, with a report expected later this year.
Essex turkey farmer Paul Kelly, whose business suffered during the 2021-2023 outbreak, criticised the slow progress on vaccine availability, saying “the foot has been taken off the gas”.
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Biosecurity restrictions are in force across England, Wales and Scotland as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone
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He told the BBC: “This is poor planning as we need to be ready for another huge outbreak as opposed to reacting to another outbreak and being behind the curve on rolling out vaccination.”
Gary Ford, of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association, reported “panic, concern and fear out there” among farmers over the virus spread.
Ford noted his organisation strongly supports vaccination but acknowledged challenges, including farmer costs and trade implications with countries that ban imports from producers using vaccines.
Scientific concerns about vaccination have emerged from recent research by the UK’s Royal Veterinary College and Chinese institutions.
Their genetic analysis of avian flu samples from 1996 to 2023 revealed that while unvaccinated birds had more infections, countries with high vaccination rates showed increased virus mutation rates.
Researchers warned this evolution could require frequent vaccine updates to maintain effectiveness.
The study also suggested potential risks of the virus spreading to unvaccinated populations, though researchers noted more investigation is needed to confirm a direct link between vaccination and virus evolution.
The National Farmers’ Union has called it “essential that Defra refocuses efforts” on developing a workable avian influenza vaccination plan for the UK.
Currently, the government only permits licensed zoos to vaccinate captive birds against highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Defra has stated it will continue to invest in research into vaccination options.
The government agency emphasised that any future decisions regarding emergency or preventive vaccination programmes would be based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.
Meanwhile, farmers continue to press for faster action as they await the taskforce’s report due later this year.
