QUARANTINE was only lifted mid-January on the last Golden Plains Shire property to be impacted by avian influenza, with Agriculture Victoria (AgVic) announcing the end of Australia’s largest avian influenza outbreak.
Yet avian influenza is back in the headlines, this time in Euroa with three properties testing positive to the virus and quarantine and movement restrictions in force.
Between May 22 and June 24 of last year, seven commercial poultry properties in Lethbridge and Meredith tested positive for high pathogenicity H7N3 avian influenza, with birds at a property in Terang testing positive to the H7N9 strain during the same time period.
The outbreak began on an egg farm near Meredith, spreading to other poultry farms housing egg-laying chickens and ducks for meat production.
About a quarter of the state’s eggs are produced in the Golden Plains Shire and as a result the outbreak caused supply chain issues, with Coles deciding to implement buying limits on eggs.
Latest Stories
Over a million birds were culled to stop the spread of the virus to other farms and into the environment and properties were not declared virus-free until weeks and often months after the outbreak.
Farm Pride Foods was one of the producers impacted, free-range birds at the company’s Lethbridge Aviary site testing positive to avian influenza (AI).
This was not the first time the company had been affected.
Farm Pride Foods faced two avian influenza outbreaks in 2020, losing 33 per cent of the company’s stock as around 380,000 egg-laying caged, barn and free-range hens were culled.
“If the virus was allowed to spread onward it would be devastating for the rest of the poultry industry in Victoria and perhaps onward through Australia,” said Victoria’s chief veterinary officer at the time, Graeme Cook.
“The right thing to do is to stop the infected premises being any further risk, and that’s the action that is taken through the humane destruction and disposal and the onwards cleansing and disinfection of the farms.”
However less than a month after the state was declared AI virus free, much of the Strathbogie Shire is now under quarantine as a third property tests positive to H7N8 High Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Albeit a different strain from last year’s outbreak, the results are the same as AgVic works alongside the producer to mitigate risk.
Kinross Farms confirmed the outbreak is at their third egg production facility outside of Euroa which houses 260,000 chickens that will now be destroyed.
This brings the total number of bird losses for the company to 500,000.
Kinross Farms managing director Philip Szepe said the company had been closely monitoring all of its farms since the start of the current outbreak on February 8.
“It is not unusual for an avian influenza outbreak to spread to neighbouring properties," Mr Szepe said.
“This latest outbreak was detected quickly and managed immediately, in line with well-established national response arrangements to manage an avian influenza outbreak.
“We thank AgVic for its ongoing efforts on the affected sites, and at our other sites where we continue to manage egg production and supply to customers, while maintaining strict biosecurity protocols."
AgVic said the property had been quarantined, with a control area in place spanning east of the Goulburn Valley Highway for Strathbogie Shire, and includes Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel, and Strathbogie.
Mr Szepe said it was a very challenging time for his staff.
“Our teams across all sites are working tirelessly to manage this response and we appreciate their commitment to the work.
“(Their) day-to-day work is dedicated to ensuring the health and welfare of our birds, and we want to thank them all for their unwavering commitment to the recovery work as it unfolds.
“We also thank members of the local community for their ongoing support, especially towards our team members who live in the region."
Both AgVic and Mr Szepe continue to assure the community that eggs and poultry products from supermarkets are safe to consume.
"We appreciate all customers who continue to support Kinross Farms,” Mr Szepe said.
However as producers brace for a new outbreak, potential egg shortages have brought the proposed national phase-out of conventional caged eggs under the spotlight.
Under the latest Commonwealth Government guidelines caged eggs are set to be phased out by 2036, with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) now calling on both state and federal governments to pause legislation.
VFF Egg Group President Meg Parkinson said ongoing impacts of avian influenza are severely hampering the supply of eggs to consumers and all forms of egg production must be utilised to guarantee future reliable supplies.
“Recurring outbreaks have demonstrated the need for a robust and resilient egg industry,” Ms Parkinson said.
“This includes eggs from all production systems such as barn laid, cage and free range and enables consumers to choose how their eggs are produced and at the same time ensuring supply of eggs is as resilient as possible.
“Caged egg systems provide a safer internal environment, significantly reducing the risk of avian influenza transmission through contact with wild birds,” she said.
Ms Parkinson said Australian egg farmers invest considerably in strict biosecurity protocols and uphold world-leading animal welfare standards, ensuring consumers have access the best possible eggs.
“The impending phase out of conventional cages, coupled with a lack of clear transition planning from governments, has created uncertainty within the industry,” she said.
“The VFF urges governments to work closely with industry to develop a practical transition plan that ensures egg supply remains stable and affordable for all Australians.
“Until such a plan is in place, the proposed phaseout must be paused to avoid unintended consequences for food security and local farmers.”
Australian Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies has said the detection of avian influenza this year is disappointing as there has been a huge collective effort to contain the outbreak.
“Once again, we will see disruption as a result of the outbreak with egg supply tight in some places, but it also needs to be remembered that the impacted farms are a very small proportion of the industry,” he said.
“This outbreak has sparked debate about food security in light of increased avian influenza risks.”
Mr McMonnies said that when the current response to the outbreak is complete, it will be important to reflect on how industry and governments can best meet this challenge going forward.
