The monitoring of the state of affairs of vaccine development and the authorization of the use of these vaccines fall within the federal competence, not that of the Flemish Minister of Agriculture. In 2022, the bird flu virus formed a permanent threat to the poultry sector in Flanders. The virus is widespread in Europe and the rest of the world. The wild bird population has also been hit hard this time.
In 2022, 29 infections were detected in Belgium: 11 at commercial poultry farms, 17 at bird dealers and private keepers and 1 in an animal park. This year there are already 2 bird flu infections in Flanders.
Preventive slaughter is no longer the best solution
“The preventive slaughter approach may work in an epidemic situation, with waves, as it used to be. However, we are in an endemic situation, where bird flu is permanently present. People don’t see that as a good solution in that,” stated Chris Steenwegen of Groen in the Agriculture Committee.
“The World Organization for Animal Health therefore wants to focus on vaccination. This would mean that a new vaccine would have to be released every year, because the avian flu virus changes rapidly. However, if we vaccinate preventively, exports will be hindered,” Steenwegen warned.
“The professional poultry sector is already vaccinating against various infectious diseases. The most important are: Newcastle disease, gumboro, marek, infectious bronchitis, salmonella and coccidiosis, but vaccines are also available against, for example, vibrational disease, E. coli and mycoplasma,” said Minister Brouns.
Poultry already receives other vaccinations
“Depending on the type of poultry, such as broiler chickens, laying hens or breeding poultry, specific vaccination schedules are followed. Some vaccinations are mandatory in Belgium. The vaccination against Newcastle disease is mandatory for all poultry farms with more than 100 poultry and the vaccination against Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is mandatory for breeding poultry. Those vaccinations do not lead to trade restrictions.
Vaccination entails costs, including the cost of the vaccine and the costs of administering it. However, vaccination can prevent the larger negative economic impact of a disease outbreak. Vaccination will be an important addition to existing biosecurity measures. We are currently waiting for usable vaccines and it must be ensured that exports are not compromised,” said Brouns.
Fundamental conversion?
Chris Steenwegen asked the minister whether, in view of the avian flu, chicken farmers would not be better off fundamentally switching to smaller farms with a smaller number of animals. “Then we arrive at the discussion about fair pricing. A fair price for eggs and chicken meat is a fundamental factor in this. The sector needs this to make these kinds of transitions possible. I see a number of developments in retail. Large Dutch chains want to develop a different kind of chicken. In that respect, it is indeed a story of fair pricing,” Brouns replied.