Arabic version: مزارعو جنوب أستراليا يعيدون النظر في إبقاء دجاجات التربية الحرة داخل الحظائر

According to ABC News, some South Australian egg and poultry farmers are allowing free-range hens outdoors again after voluntarily housing them for about three months to reduce exposure to H5N1 bird flu. The virus has been detected in wild birds, but has not spread into Australia’s poultry or egg sector.

Riverland producer Darren Letton, who runs Glenview Poultry Farm at Pike River, put his hens indoors in August as confirmed cases rose. He released them last week as detections eased, though he said the choice was difficult and that he would keep monitoring the virus. The state’s voluntary housing recommendation remains in place until November 20.

Farmers are also weighing packaging costs. Australian Consumer and Competition Commission guidance allows affected producers to continue using free-range labels while birds are housed under a mandatory order or voluntary recommendation for up to 90 days. After that period, alternative labelling is required, and Letton said producers cannot quickly create different cartons.

South Australia’s chief veterinarian, Skye Fruean, said the state had recorded 342 bird flu cases as of Monday, with the pace of detections slowing in recent weeks. She said the risk remained because the virus was still spreading and could increase if it moved into a new species. Her advice for producers has not changed: housing birds is a precaution where it is feasible and safe, while biosecurity and animal welfare both need consideration.