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Avian Flu. Fewer ducklings in the spring and less foie gras in the southwest this winter
Published on03/14/2022 at 7:13 p.m.
Written byBenoit Roux
The H5N1 virus continues to spread in poultry farms. A stronger pandemic than the previous ones which is now hitting the Pays de la Loire region. As it provides between 60 and 70% of the ducklings which are then reared and force-fed in the southwest, there will inevitably be an impact on production for the next end-of-year celebrations.
More than 120 new outbreaks of bird flu were identified last week in the Pays de la Loire region. On Friday March 11, the Ministry of Agriculture announced 187 outbreaks against 60 just five days earlier. It is the very heart of duck breeders that is hit hard in a period when the virus is usually almost non-existent. This is enough to worry the entire duck and poultry production sector.
An unprecedented 4th episode of avian flu
The first H5N1 avian flu epizootic occurred during the winter of 2015-2016. A year later, avian influenza raged again in H5N8 mode following the transport of contaminated birds from the Tarn to breeders in the Gers. The third crisis in 2020-2021 will mark the end of outdoor productions and the identification of overly dense production areas that must be reduced to prevent the spread.
As for the 4th episode and the return of H5N1:
This is a warning shot, an unprecedented situation. Equations with unknowns multiply. It will be necessary to do an analysis with the scientists to understand.
Marie-Pierre Pé, Director of the Interprofessional Foie Gras Committee (Cifog)
The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that 3M animals will still have to be slaughtered, which would bring the figure to 4.2M, almost 1M more than during the previous wave.
“Despite a drop in animal density of 25%, this did not prevent the pandemic from being even stronger. Usually, it rages from November 15 to January 15. There, it started around October 15 and in mid-March, it is still there. It is very worrying, concedes Marie-Pierre Pé.
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In the south-west (Landes, Gers, Pyrénées-Atlantiques), bird flu is almost contained. "The breeders reacted immediately. They respected the roadmaps. Depopulation platforms have been set up to slaughter the animals immediately in the event of a problem. On the crawl space situation, we are a month ahead compared to last year," said the leader of Cifog. On March 29, breeders would be ready to receive their new herd of ducks. But many will leave their building empty: by choice or by constraint.
The Pays de la Loire region, and especially the Vendée, the main provider of ducklings
The Pays de la Loire provides 70% of the ducklings which are then reared and force-fed in the southwest. The other 30% are small ducks born on site in the departments of Gers, Landes or Pyrénées-Atlantiques. So the explosion of outbreaks of contamination in recent days in Vendée and in the Pays de la Loire region is not good news for producers in the south-west.
However, a new protocol was signed on Friday March 11. It reinforces the delivery conditions for the ducklings by making the process even more secure with, for example, the obligation to pass the truck through a washing station when leaving the zone, the driver must also change clothes. "There has never been any transmission of infection in the southwest through ducklings. After they are born, they are always in the hatcheries heated to such a temperature that it kills the virus" , according to Marie -Pierre Pe.
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Not too much concern therefore of contamination, but rather a risk of shortage. Ducklings are delivered 1 day after birth. It takes between 3 and 3 1/2 months of breeding, then between 10 and 15 days of force-feeding. The pandemic outbreak observed in Vendée will inevitably have an impact on production. “ We cannot give figures. It is the great caution in the south-west. We are in expectation, there are studies in progress to understand. As the virus spreads by air, the storm of February 18, 2022 can be the beginning of an explanation. We will have to strengthen the rules."
Faced with so much uncertainty, many breeders will prefer not to bring in any ducks for the time being. At Cifog as at the Ministry of Agriculture, many are impatiently awaiting a vaccine.
The vaccine issue
To limit the slaughter of animals and limit the spread of the virus, some think of the vaccine. Until now, there was none, but now two laboratories (including Ceva specializing in animal health based in Libourne) have developed a vaccine. Before being put on the market, this vaccine candidate must be challenged with full-scale experimental tests. This work will take time and even in an ideal scenario, it will not be available for next winter.
A majority of breeders and poultry organizations would rather be in favor of vaccinating ducklings, but several problems arise, including cost. In addition, most Asian countries do not want to consume fat ducks that have been vaccinated. However, some producers rely on exports to achieve their turnover.
There is urgency at a time when 60% of European countries are affected by the virus and Italy has just removed 18M of birds.
The only bright spot in the gloomy picture of the moment: the love side of the duck does not change. The results of the celebrations are good: foie gras, duck breasts, aiguillettes sold very well. Sales even increased.
Hence the importance of finding lasting solutions to fight effectively against avian flu.
https://france3-regions.francetvinf...gras-dans-le-sud-ouest-cet-hiver-2497079.html
