Poultry farmers across the UK are calling for the government to allow vaccination of their flocks against the rapidly spreading bird flu virus, which they describe as a “devastating” threat to their businesses.
The appeal comes as the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) continues to maintain that biosecurity measures and culling remain the most effective means of controlling the disease.
Currently, the UK does not permit poultry vaccination against avian influenza. Despite ongoing concerns from farmers about the virus’s toll on their flocks, Defra has not yet given approval for widespread vaccination programs.
The department claims that strong biosecurity practices, such as controlling access to poultry farms and culling infected birds, are sufficient to manage the disease.
However, some farmers, including Essex turkey farmer Paul Kelly, are increasingly frustrated with the government’s stance.
Kelly, whose business was severely affected by the bird flu outbreaks between 2021 and 2023, warned that without vaccination, it is only a matter of time before another devastating wave of the virus hits. “Avian influenza is so highly pathogenic that if a farmer gets it, it is devastating,” he told the BBC.
Since the beginning of this year’s winter season, 25 poultry farms in the UK have reported outbreaks of bird flu, though these figures are still lower than the devastating outbreak between October 2021 and January 2022, when more than 70 cases were reported.
Despite the lower number of cases this year, concerns remain high among farmers, who are fearful that the virus will soon surge again. Gary Ford, of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association, emphasized the widespread panic and concern among poultry farmers.
He expressed strong support for vaccination, despite challenges such as the potential costs to farmers and the impact on international trade with countries that do not accept poultry from vaccinated farms.
However, the idea of vaccinating poultry is not without controversy. Recent research conducted by the UK’s Royal Veterinary College and Chinese institutions raised concerns about the potential for vaccinations to influence the evolution of the virus.
The study found that, while infections occurred more frequently in unvaccinated birds, countries with higher vaccination rates saw an increased rate of genetic changes in the virus.
While more research is needed to establish a direct link between vaccination and virus evolution, scientists have warned that such changes could lead to the virus evolving in ways that might make it harder for vaccines to remain effective.
The government has set up a cross-industry taskforce to investigate the use of poultry vaccines, with a report expected later this year.
However, farmers argue that the response has been too slow and that they need a comprehensive vaccination strategy in place before another major outbreak occurs.
In the meantime, Defra continues to invest in research and has stated that any future decisions on the use of vaccines will be based on scientific evidence and veterinary advice. The government currently permits only licensed zoos to vaccinate captive birds against highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The UK’s current biosecurity measures, which include mandatory housing rules for birds in certain regions, remain in place as part of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across England, Wales, and Scotland.
While the risk to humans remains low, UKHSA recently confirmed a case of avian flu in a farm worker in the West Midlands, underscoring the ongoing concern surrounding the virus.
The National Farmers’ Union has called on Defra to urgently refocus its efforts and implement a viable vaccination plan to protect both poultry farmers and the wider public from the potentially catastrophic effects of bird flu.
