Australia-Pacific

Australia issues new bird flu advice to egg producers as testing continues

Australian authorities have urged free-range producers to keep their birds indoors where practical as part of efforts to combat bird flu. Testing is continuing amid suspicion of new cases.

Hens inside an indoor poultry farm
Hens inside an indoor poultry farmPhoto: Mark Stebnicki / Pexels
ABC News Australia2 h ago

State and territory authorities in Australia have issued new biosecurity advice for egg producers in an effort to prevent the spread of bird flu. Officials are encouraging producers with free-range flocks to keep birds indoors where it is practical.

The advice comes at a time when testing is under way and new cases are suspected. Reducing contact between poultry and wild birds stands out as one of the main ways to lower the risk of the disease reaching flocks.

The outbreak is being watched closely by producers and consumers alike for its impact on egg supply and prices. What the test results show and the scope of any additional measures are among the main issues the sector will focus on in the weeks ahead.

RegulationCommoditiesAustralia-PacificABC News Australia
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by ABC News Australia. The illustration is a stock photo by Mark Stebnicki from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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