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 France, which has the largest poultry flock in the European Union,
is one of the countries that has been the most affected by the H5N8
bird flu virus that has spread through wild birds in most parts of
the continent since late last year.
The loss in output of some 12 million ducks this year - including
4.5 million culled and 7.5 million not produced - combined with the
additional costs of tackling bird flu outbreaks, will lead to higher
foie gras prices this year, producers said. They declined to give
precise forecasts.
"Today is an important day as we are allowed to welcome ducklings
again on our farms. But it is only a step, it's not the end of this
painful event. There are still many things to do," Christophe
Barrailh, head of foie gras makers group Cifog, told reporters.
First foie gras products from these regions will not be available
before late August or early September, he said.
The cost of a second major bird flu crisis in the country in as many
years will be around 350 million euros ($391 million) this year,
after a 270 million-euro bill in 2016 when farmers in the region had
to halt output for several months to avoid a spread of the H5N1
virus, Cifog said.
In addition, farmers will need to invest in new equipment such as
cleaning tools and in extra premises to confine ducks when they are
most at risk of contracting the virus carried by migrating wild
birds.
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France's foie gras exports have slumped in the past two years due to
bird flu, as countries such as major importer Japan shut their
borders to shipments. Foreign sales fell to 85 million euros in
2016, a level which is expected to be repeated in 2017 but is down
from 104 million euros in 2015.
The French farm and food ministry in a statement said the industry
should adhere to stricter production rules adopted during the crisis
to avoid new contamination by the virus in future.
(Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
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