The Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, has moved to reassure poultry farmers across Monaghan after 3,800 turkeys were culled as a result of avian influenza. Speaking to Northern Sound earlier, the Minister said he was working to ensure that all farmers in Monaghan were supported in minimising further risk of infection.
He pointed out that Cavan Monaghan was the capital of the poultry industry nationally and every effort would be made to protect it. The Minister highlighted how there was heightened concern because of that, and he advised commercial flock owners to strictly adhere to bio-security measures on their farms.
He added that commercial flocks can be protected, and supply maintained, if everyone works together and does the best they can. "There are established protocols in place to ensure that it is contained and to work with farmers in the area.
"But the key thing now in the next number of weeks and couple of months is for poultry farmers across the country to ensure that all bio-security measures are applied. That is the best way to minimise any risk that is there. There isn't any risk from a human health point of view but there is a huge risk in terms of economic damage," said Minister McConalogue.
