Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Everyone is aware of the situation regarding our poultry industry. An epidemic of bird flu has swept across Europe. Since December, six cases have been reported in Ireland and one particular issue really comes to mind. On 24 December an order was made to the effect that all commercial birds should be kept indoors. The purpose was to protect them from this situation.

The difficulty is that, under Irish and European legislation, the status of our poultry or commercial birds may be affected after 90 days. Much of our poultry is considered to be either organic or free range. However, if birds are kept indoors for more than 90 days, they lose that status. Many people in the poultry industry are concerned that they will lose that status.

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