Consumers may see a hike in egg prices after almost 400,000 chickens were destroyed following an outbreak of Avian Influenza at two egg farms in Victoria.
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The AI strain does not pose a threat to human health. One outbreak is a high pathogen variety of AI, probably brought to Australia by migratory waterwading birds from Asia.
It's not known yet how the loss of the large number of chickens will affect egg supply in Victoria and if it will have ramifications in NSW, where already some egg prices have risen.
Australian Eggs said there was no threat to continuity of supply, but it said the Victorian outbreak was "worrying" and "of concern". There hasn't been an AI outbreak in Australia for about 8 years. AgVic has put in quarantine measures around the outbreaks, one in the Golden Plains Shire.
The main consumer issue may be for Victorian residents who may have to go to two or three shops to obtain eggs, an Australian Eggs spokesperson said.
Australia produces about 17 million eggs a day, so supply was not a major issue, it said. The loss of 400,000 hens though was significant.
An AI low pathogen strain was also detected in two turkey farms, one near Bairnsdale.
Ag Vic said in an update:
"Tracing investigations have found a poultry farm near Bairnsdale that has tested positive for H5N2 low pathogenic avian influenza virus on 10 August 2020.
"Movement controls have been put in place in around the property, which has been quarantined. These controls prohibit, until further notice, the movement of birds, equipment and products within and out of, the designated Restricted and Control Area, except under permit issued by Agriculture Victoria.
It also put an alert for Golden Plains Shire after a high pathogenic avian influenza virus detection.
"A second egg farm near Lethbridge tested positive for H7N7 avian influenza virus on 5 August 2020, following confirmation of the virus at a free-range egg farm on 31 July 2020.
"Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer issued a Housing of Livestock clause for 30 days from 7 August 2020, legally requiring all poultry owners - even those with just two or three chickens or birds - to keep their birds enclosed.
"Movement controls have been put in place in Golden Plains Shire and the affected properties have been quarantined. These controls prohibit, until further notice, the movement of birds, equipment and products within and out of, the designated Restricted and Control Area, except under permit issued by Agriculture Victoria.
"To control the spread of avian influenza, birds on the first affected property have been destroyed. Agriculture Victoria has quarantined the second property and is undertaking required depopulation, disposal and decontamination.
"Agriculture Victoria has scaled up its surveillance and tracing efforts to determine other at-risk properties and contain the risk. Agriculture Victoria continues to sample birds throughout the expanded Restricted Area."
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
