Poultry sector plays down turkey shortage fears as bird flu accelerates

Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza are continuing to spread across the country, though consumers have been reassured that Christmas turkey and egg supplies are secure.

Defra confirmed further cases of H5N1 on Friday (28 November), affecting 6,000 breeder ducks near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

Saturday (29 November) saw 33,000 broiler breeders go down with H5N1 near Ashcott, Wells and Mendip Hills, Somerset, and Sunday (30 November) recorded a further 40,000 ducks near Mundford, Breckland, Norfolk with the deadly virus.

See also: Clock is ticking for bird flu insurance, producers warned

November has also seen several turkey flocks hit, including 119,000 birds lost at a site near Swaffham, Norfolk, and further losses in Kent, East Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Pembrokeshire

Supply assurance

Despite rising cases, industry leaders have told Farmers Weekly that shoppers shouldn’t worry about their Christmas turkey availability, and there are no egg supply concerns at present. 

NFU seasonal poultry group chair Jonathan Smith said: “Shoppers should be reassured that poultry producers are working hard to protect the health and welfare of their birds and to ensure we can meet the demand for British turkeys at Christmas.”

Mr Smith added that shoppers can support British turkey producers by using the NFU Turkey Finder to locate a nearby producer and buy direct from the farm.

British Poultry Council chief executive Richard Griffiths said it was an incredibly difficult and worrying time for poultry producers, particularly for seasonal birds in the run-up to Christmas.

“Turkeys have been hit, but we hope we can provide as close to a normal supply as possible,” he said, while urging producers to exercise “extreme vigilance”.

Benefit scheme

Egg producers supplying Chippindale Foods are, however, set to benefit from a new insurance arrangement that provides 180 days of business interruption cover, along with support towards secondary cleaning and disinfection costs.

The North Yorkshire-based business, part of the Myton Food Group, has partnered with NFU Mutual to provide egg producers with extra protection during this avian influenza season.

The scheme was launched in September and to help make the cover more accessible, Chippindale Foods will cover 50% of the insurance cost, easing financial pressure on producers and providing reassurance as disease risk remains high.

Harriet Hirst, senior sourcing and sales manager for eggs at Chippindale Foods, said: “By sharing the responsibility, we’re helping our producers build resilience and safeguard both livelihoods and supply continuity, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

The new partnership has been welcomed by Gary Ford, head of strategy and producer engagement at the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (Bfrepa).

He said: “This kind of proactive support gives producers renewed confidence when it’s needed most.”