Letter to the House of Representatives about bird

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Bureau Bestuursraad
President of the House of Representatives
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www.rijksoverheid.nl/ez
Date
Subject
24 November 2014
Status of bird flu outbreak
Ons kenmerk
BBR / 14192644
Dear Madam Speaker,
I wrote to you yesterday, 23 November 2014, to inform you of a new raft of
measures to combat the outbreak of bird flu in the Netherlands in the coming
period.
Further to that letter, I am now writing to inform you regarding the current status,
the ongoing investigation into the possible cause of the bird flu outbreak and the
possible payment of compensation to hatcheries and breeders under the new
measures.
Current status of bird flu outbreak in Kamperveen
An outbreak of bird flu was confirmed on 14 November 2014 at a poultry farm in
Kamperveen. The farm was therefore cleared of livestock.
Two further poultry farms are located within a radius of 1 km of the infected farm
in Kamperveen. As a precautionary measure, preventive clearance of these farms
has been carried out. At one of these farms, an H5 variant of avian influenza was
confirmed in ducks. It is not yet clear whether this is a low pathogenic or highly
pathogenic strain. PCR testing has not indicated the presence of the bird flu virus
at the other farm.
There are a further 32 poultry farms situated between the 1km and 10km
restriction zones. Samples from these farms have been tested for bird flu (PCR).
The virus has not been found at any of these farms.
A farm in Barneveld with approximately 8,000 ducks has been cleared today as a
precautionary measure. Investigation revealed that this farm was visited by a
lorry that had earlier visited the infected duck farm in Kamperveen. Tests (PCR)
revealed no trace of bird flu virus.
Pagina 1 van 3
Bureau Bestuursraad
Ons kenmerk
BBR / 14192644
Investigation of cause of bird flu outbreak
It is important to obtain a clearer picture of the possible role played by wild birds
in the spread of bird flu. I have therefore commissioned additional research. Some
500 wild duck have already been tested which were present in duck traps. No
highly pathogenic strain of the virus was identified, but low pathogenic strains
were found.
Samples of droppings have been collected within the 10 km zone around
Hekendorp. These are currently being tested. I expect to receive the results
during the coming weeks.
I have also initiated preparations for the capture and sampling of Bewick’s swans,
mute swans, wild duck and gulls. This investigation will be carried out by the
Erasmus Medical Centre in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute of Ecology
(NIOO-KNAW) and the Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology (Sovon).
Finally, Sovon is monitoring dead birds in the Netherlands and describing habitats
of wild birds. This work is being carried out in partnership with the Dutch Wildlife
Health Centre (DWHC). Sovon will describe the habitats of wild birds around the
infected farms, including those affected in Germany and the United Kingdom, and
will look for correspondences.
As I indicated in my letter of 22 November 2014, the Netherlands and Germany
are working together closely to discover the cause of the bird flu outbreak.
Together with Germany, I will be seeking the support of the European Commission
in this investigation, including financial support.
Hatcheries and breeding farms
As part of the new raft of measures, once the nationwide transportation ban
(standstill) expires, the transportation of new poultry to the affected farms will
remain prohibited for the time being. The measures are intended to reduce the
number of contacts between poultry and mixed farms (for example by vehicles or
persons) to a minimum. Moreover, a larger poultry flock could lead to more
infections at other poultry farms. Calculations by the Dutch Central Veterinary
Institute show that it is virtually inevitable that the introduction of the virus to
intensive poultry production regions will lead to an epidemic. I also wish to avoid
having to cull more poultry than necessary in the event of a new bird flu infection
during this period. The ban on transporting day-old chicks to poultry farms in the
Netherlands will therefore remain in place.
The transition from the nationwide transportation ban to a regional approach will
lead to direct losses for hatcheries and breeding farms. The Animal Health Fund
contains no agreements with the sector on compensating for these losses. In view
of this situation, I am engaged in constructive dialogue with the industry with a
view to taking steps within a European framework.
Pagina 2 van 3
Bureau Bestuursraad
Ons kenmerk
BBR / 14192644
Next Wednesday, 26 November, I will engage in formal consultation with the
sector regarding the bird flu situation in the Netherlands.
(p.p.)
Sharon A.M. Dijksma
Minister for Agriculture
Pagina 3 van 3

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