Poultry farmers across the UK are calling on the government to introduce a vaccination program to protect their flocks against the devastating avian influenza virus, which continues to spread nationwide.
Currently, vaccinating poultry against bird flu is prohibited in the UK, with the government maintaining that strict biosecurity measures and culling remain the most effective ways to control outbreaks. However, farmers argue that without a vaccine, the country remains vulnerable to another large-scale crisis.
One such farmer, Paul Kelly, an Essex-based turkey producer who lost 30% of his flock during the worst bird flu outbreak from 2021 to 2023, warns that the government is not acting swiftly enough.
“We Need to Be Ahead of the Curve”
Speaking about the ongoing crisis, Kelly expressed frustration at the slow progress in making poultry vaccines available.
“The foot has been taken off the gas. We need to be ready for another major outbreak instead of reacting when it’s too late,” he told the BBC.
“Avian influenza is so highly pathogenic that if a farmer gets it in their flock, it is devastating.”
So far, there have been 25 recorded farm outbreaks since the start of the annual winter season in October. While this is lower than the 70 cases recorded at the peak of the 2021-2022 outbreak, farmers say fear and uncertainty remain high.
Growing Calls for a Vaccination Strategy
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association has voiced strong support for a vaccination program, although it acknowledges potential challenges such as cost and trade restrictions.
Meanwhile, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has urged the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to prioritize developing a comprehensive avian influenza vaccination plan for UK poultry farmers.
Defra has established a taskforce to assess the potential use of vaccines and is expected to publish its findings later this year. However, many farmers feel the process is moving too slowly, leaving their businesses exposed to another devastating outbreak.
Scientific Concerns Over Vaccination
While many in the industry support vaccination, some researchers have raised concerns about its potential impact on virus evolution. A recent study conducted by the UK’s Royal Veterinary College and Chinese institutions suggests that in countries with high poultry vaccination rates, the virus may be mutating more rapidly.
The researchers found that while vaccinated flocks had fewer infections, the virus was evolving at a higher rate, potentially leading to the need for frequent vaccine updates and the risk of the virus spreading to unvaccinated populations. However, they stress that further research is needed to confirm any direct link between vaccination and virus evolution.
Human Risk Remains Low, but Biosecurity Measures Tighten
Earlier this week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a case of H5N1 avian influenza in a farm worker in the West Midlands, though it emphasized that bird-to-human transmission remains rare and that the risk to the general public is very low.
In response to rising cases, mandatory housing measures have been enforced for poultry in Shropshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Additionally, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is in place across England, Wales, and Scotland, requiring farmers to implement strict biosecurity measures.
For now, the UK government permits only licensed zoos to vaccinate captive birds against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Defra insists that any decision to introduce a broader vaccination program will be based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.
However, with bird flu continuing to threaten livelihoods, farmers like Paul Kelly are adamant that action must be taken before another major outbreak occurs.
source :BBC /Picture Credit : BBC
