"Germany's Poultry Farmers Urge Ban on Free-Range Farming Amid Bird Flu Surge"

Germanys poultry farmers are advocating for a ban on free-range farming to combat the spread of avian influenza, aiming to protect birds and mitigate economic losses from the virus.

Georg Heitlinger, representing the Poultry Industry Association in Baden-Württemberg, emphasizes the need for a nationwide requirement to keep poultry indoors due to rising avian influenza cases.
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute has warned that bird migration is contributing to the increased risk of infection, prompting farmers to seek measures like culling to protect their flocks.
As avian influenza spreads rapidly across Germany, poultry farmers stress that preventing the viruss spread is essential to avert significant economic damage and safeguard animal welfare.

Why It Matters

The push for a ban on free-range farming highlights the ongoing challenges posed by avian influenza, which not only threatens animal health but also has broader implications for food security and the poultry industrys economic stability.