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Munich (dpa / lby) - Strict rules for poultry farmers, even more game protection fences along highways: Bavaria is continuing to arm itself in the fight against animal diseases.

"We are doing everything to protect Bavaria as best as possible," emphasized Bavaria's Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber (Free Voters).

But avian influenza is spreading in the Free State, and experts fear that it could only be a matter of time for African swine fever (ASF).

Avian influenza has already been detected in wild birds in the districts of Passau, Starnberg, Haßberge and Landsberg am Lech - and it will get worse, fears Annika Nottensteiner, managing director of the Bavarian Poultry Association.

"The virus is definitely widespread among the wild bird population throughout Bavaria."

According to the ministry, wildlife monitoring should therefore be continued consistently.

In the Bayreuth district, the first poultry farming has now also hit.

Around 20 chickens had to be culled there.

“The smaller farms have a higher risk of avian influenza spreading,” Nottensteiner explained.

Because the rules there are usually not as strict as in farms with more than a thousand animals.

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Since the fall in the Bayreuth district, everyone in Bavaria has had to adhere to the measures: Strangers are not allowed to come into contact with the animals, poultry farmers must first put on protective clothing.

In addition, it must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected - hands, protective clothing, equipment, vehicles as well as the stable itself.

This is understandable, appropriate and easy to implement for most businesses, explained the Bavarian Farmers' Association.

Only poultry could suffer if they were stabled, especially if they were used to exercise.

"In addition to movement, these animals lack activity."

The holders would now have to get creative to provide a bit of variety.


Pig farmers are also preparing for the spread of an animal disease, although there is no confirmed case of African swine fever in Bavaria, said a spokeswoman for the farmers' association.

"Some of the hygiene measures that consumers have now become familiar with with Corona are standard in pig farming."

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The Ministry of the Environment is relying on hundreds of kilometers of fence, a dog squad, drones, thermal imaging cameras and financial incentives for hunters who are supposed to reduce the number of wild boars.

For every wild boar killed in the border region to Thuringia, Saxony and the Czech Republic, there is 100 euros, in other regions of Bavaria 70 euros.

This is not enough for the farmers' association, they are demanding more money.

The districts should also contribute to the costs of an early detection program.

"Everything must be done to prevent the ASF from spreading further."

The state association of the Bavarian poultry industry is hoping for the weather and is playing for time.

The increased UV radiation in spring affects the virus, explained Nottensteiner.

Then the migrations of wild birds, which spread avian influenza further, will also be over.

In recent years, the situation has calmed down again at the end of March.

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Both animal diseases are considered harmless to humans.

Avian influenza is particularly dangerous for chickens and turkeys, the disease and death rates are sometimes as high as 100 percent.

The

African swine fever often results in wild and domestic pigs after a short illness to death.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210206-99-325687 / 2

Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety on avian influenza

Current measures against avian influenza

Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety on African Swine Fever

Bavarian Ministry of the Environment on African Swine Fever