An unprecedented initiative in France: producers of ducks and geese in the South-West will empty their farms for a month next winter.

The goal: to prevent avian flu from spreading again.

The production of foie gras is a must in the region, but since November 2021, avian flu has continued to worry breeders.

The disease has indeed caused its fourth crisis since 2015. “We are tired of living with this”, sums up Chantal Brethes, president of Palso, the organization of the foie gras sector IGP and Label Rouge du Sud-Ouest.

500,000 ducks missing from farms

Thus, "in 68 municipalities where there are the highest densities of livestock, there will be no animal in the farms from December 15 to January 15", she explains.

The initiative is located in the area which includes the east of the Landes, the west of the Gers and the north of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

This area represents a quarter of French foie gras.

With this time-limited initiative, approximately 500,000 ducks will be missing from national production, according to Palso.

“Stopping on December 15 means being ready for Christmas 15 days before, it is still a very strong measure”, underlines Chantal Brethes, assuring that “we will go further if necessary”, to know if the flu avian still threatens in January.

State response expected

"It's a test, we'll see if it works," said Bernard Tauzia, president of Airvol, the regional association of poultry in the Southwest.

“The profession wants to anticipate a new crisis and this is a proposal made to the State”, indicates for his part Philippe Everlet, head of the poultry service at the Chamber of Agriculture of Gers.

"We are waiting for the ministry's response.

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The initiative will represent a total loss of “12 million euros” for breeders, estimate Palso and Airvol.

These two organizations are therefore asking the State to allocate this amount to compensation for downstream companies, namely those who slaughter, cut up, process and package poultry.

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  • Avian Flu

  • Breeding

  • South West

  • Ducks

  • Foie gras

  • epidemic

  • breeder

  • Health