European Commission to provide exceptional support to Italy’s poultry sector following avian flu

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European Commission to provide exceptional support to Italy’s poultry sector following avian flu

18 July 2019
News
Today, EU Member States agreed on providing exceptional market support to Italian egg and poultry meat producers, who were affected by avian influenza in 2017 and 2018.

A total of €32.1 million will be granted from the EU budget, which should be matched by national funds.

Between 1 October 2017 and 30 June 2018, 45 outbreaks of avian influenza, affecting ducks, turkeys, Guinea fowls and Gallus domesticus, were confirmed and notified by Italy. Italy took all the necessary measures to control and monitor the situation, and prevent further outbreaks.

Consequently, the measures had an impact on a large number of egg and poultry meat producers. For example, fallowing periods were prolonged, placing of birds was prohibited and movements were restricted on holdings of all types of poultry in the areas affected by the outbreaks. This led to a loss of production of hatching eggs, consumption eggs, live animals and poultry meat.