UK farmers urge government for bird flu vaccine plan amid growing panic

UK farmers urge government for bird flu vaccine plan amid growing panic

Poultry farmers across the UK are calling on the government to approve vaccinations against the devastating bird flu virus, which continues to spread. Despite ongoing outbreaks, vaccinating poultry against avian influenza remains prohibited in the UK. The government maintains that strict biosecurity measures and culling remain the most effective strategies to combat the disease. However, concerns persist that vaccinating poultry could contribute to virus mutations, potentially making the situation more complex in the long run.

While the overall levels of bird flu have not yet reached the peak seen in previous years, farmers fear that another major outbreak is imminent. One poultry farmer, who previously lost 30% of his flock due to the virus, told the sources that, without access to a vaccine, it was only a matter of time before “it all kicks off again.” To prevent further losses, many in the industry are urging authorities to act swiftly before the virus spreads further.

In response to the rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a bird flu prevention zone has been implemented across England, Wales, and Scotland. This measure enforces strict hygiene standards for poultry farms in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. Despite this, farmers argue that these steps alone are insufficient. They believe vaccination is the only way to protect their businesses from devastating losses.

Government officials, however, remain cautious. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) insists that the risk to humans remains low, and that properly cooked chicken and eggs are still safe to consume. Defra has established a cross-government and poultry industry taskforce to explore the potential use of vaccines. However, its final report is not expected until later this year, leaving farmers frustrated at the slow pace of decision-making.

Essex turkey farmer Paul Kelly, whose business suffered heavily during the worst avian flu outbreak from 2021 to 2023, believes that the government has been too slow in its response. Since October, when the annual winter bird flu season began, there have been 25 confirmed farm outbreaks of bird flu.

While this is fewer than the more than 70 outbreaks recorded between October 2021 and January 2022, fear remains high among farmers. Gary Ford, of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association, said that concern over the spread of the virus remains widespread. While he supports vaccination, he acknowledged that challenges remain, including costs and trade restrictions. Some countries prohibit poultry imports from vaccinated flocks, complicating international trade for UK farmers.

Scientists have also raised concerns over the potential long-term effects of poultry vaccination. Recent research from the UK’s Royal Veterinary College and institutions in China suggests that mass vaccination might contribute to virus mutations. Their analysis of avian flu samples collected between 1996 and 2023 found that while outbreaks occurred more frequently in unvaccinated birds, high vaccination rates in some regions were associated with increased virus evolution.

Researchers warned that this could necessitate frequent updates to vaccines and raise the risk of the virus spreading among unvaccinated populations. However, they emphasized that further research is needed to confirm whether vaccination directly causes these changes. As the debate continues, poultry farmers remain on edge, fearing that another wave of bird flu could devastate their livelihoods once again.