France has culled 10 million poultry since November to try to contain the bird flua higher balance than in previous years due to an unprecedented outbreak in western France, the Ministry of Agriculture reported on Wednesday.
Since the first recorded case in the north in late November, the virus has spread to some 1,000 farms. Almost half of the animals have been slaughtered in the Pays de la Loire region (west), the second largest poultry production territory after Brittany.
Typically, crises linked to bird flu they focus on the Southwest, especially on duck farms for the production of foie gras. In 2021, almost 500 outbreaks were recorded and 3.5 million animals, mostly ducks, were culled.
Total, 34 European countries have been affected by the virus this year. In addition to French farms, the avian flu hit especially those in northern Italy, with 18 million animals killed.
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