Bird Flu in Australia: What Does It Mean for the Food Processing Industry?

Bird flu has arrived in Australia – and while the virus has not yet been detected in commercial poultry, the situation is developing rapidly.

Since the first detections of H5 bird flu in Australian wild birds earlier this year, cases have continued to increase across several states. As of 8 August, Australian authorities had recorded 231 confirmed or presumed-positive detections, including a growing number of cases in South Australia and Victoria. Importantly, there are still no confirmed detections in poultry or the wider agricultural production system. 

For the Australian food processing industry, the immediate concern isn't simply the virus itself. It's the potential disruption to poultry supply chains, production sites, staff movements and biosecurity procedures if the virus enters commercial operations.

And some businesses are already taking precautions.

You don't need to have an outbreak at your site to be affected by biosecurity measures.

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