71,000 chickens to be culled after bird flu outbreak in Netherlands
The Netherlands confirms its first bird flu case since March as Canada battles over ostrich cull order.
NETHERLANDS – Dutch authorities have ordered the culling of around 71,000 chickens at a farm in the northern region of the country after confirming an outbreak of bird flu on Tuesday.
The case marks the first detection of avian influenza in the Netherlands since March, sparking renewed concern over seasonal flare-ups of the virus that continue to impact the global poultry industry.
Officials said the situation does not currently require a nationwide indoor housing order for poultry, but an expert group on animal diseases is set to meet soon to assess potential risks and determine further action.
The outbreak comes as several countries face a resurgence of avian flu cases, which tend to rise during colder months.
In Canada, a controversial culling order involving ostriches has drawn public attention and legal battles after the country’s Supreme Court temporarily blocked the government from proceeding.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency had earlier directed the destruction of about 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, after two birds tested positive for avian flu.
The farm, owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, has argued that the birds possess immunity to the virus and that killing them would destroy years of genetic research and a specialized business focused on ostrich antibodies.
Their lawyer, Umar Sheikh, said the Supreme Court’s decision to issue an “interim-interim stay” was a relief but emphasized that the legal fight remains far from over.
The food agency said it would respect the court’s temporary ruling, adding that its “stamping out” policy remains key to preventing the spread of animal diseases.
It also reported working with police to ensure on-site security after receiving threats from supporters of the farm.
In recent years, severe outbreaks of avian flu have led to the culling of millions of chickens and turkeys in the United States, pushing egg prices to record highs, with costs in some regions exceeding US$5 per dozen.
Canada has also seen smaller commercial poultry farms wiped out as part of disease control efforts.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Poland confirmed a highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreak last month on two northern poultry farms, where about 4,000 birds died.
The infections were found on a goose farm and a turkey farm in the town of Susz, according to a report submitted by Polish authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Following the incident, Poland reached a new trade deal with China to resume poultry exports that had been suspended during previous outbreaks.
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