By Charles Bourns, broiler grower, chair of NFSCo, Gloucestershire
It is easy to be relaxed about avian influenza when you live in an area that seems free from it. But I can assure anyone who feels like this that is they look at the map of reported wild bird cases will soon be doubling up their biosecurity measures.
We farm not too far away from Slimbridge, and in the cluster around it they have had to date 200 plus cases in wild birds reported. I have also noticed that the number of wild birds using our bird feeder has fallen, just like it did two years ago. They say good biosecurity reduces the risk of the disease by a factor of 44. So I would ask everyone to do their bit, especially small producers with several different breeds on them.
My feeling is these farms should be encouraged to go single breed and if possible single age like we did decades ago to discourage illness. By doing this we have almost rid ourselves of some diseases for example gangrenous dermatitis. The owner of this farm used to be known as Mr.GD after it, and in those days farms also used more antibiotics.
I am afraid to say I have been living under the false premise that the exports from Ukraine were down. I was wrong because I was looking at the EU figure, which do show a decrease because the EU have reintroduced quotas and tariffs. But of course we have not, which does not surprise me, but it just means we are importing more from Ukraine. This will stop prices increasing when a price rise is needed to maintain margins as the industry needs to build more houses to keep up with demand, otherwise the imports will just keep flowing.
I would like to thank James Mottershead for all he has done for the industry over the past five years as chair of the NFU poultry board and wish Will Raw, who is taking over, every success for the future. I look forward to him connecting with the grass roots producers. I understand why James has made his decision as running the home farm is more important than any NFU business.
The bungalow that is being built for my son James is progressing well despite the rain. It literally started the day the builders arrived and has not stopped since. They say this is quite normal.
Anyway have a great festive season and see you in the New Year of 2026.