Concern over Christmas goose availability as UK’s biggest producer hit by bird flu

Shoppers could face shortages of British goose this Christmas after the UK’s biggest producer is reported to have been hit by multiple bird flu outbreaks, stated recent reports.

Suffolk-based Gressingham Foods, which raises ducks, geese and seasonal turkeys, has been hit particularly hard, according to industry insiders, after reports of five outbreaks on its sites across the two counties in the past week. Thousands of birds are understood to have been culled, The Guardian reported today (8).

The UK has suffered what officials have said is the “largest ever outbreak of avian flu” over the past year, with more than 140 reported outbreaks in England alone. The situation is particularly acute in Norfolk and Suffolk after 14 outbreaks in the past month alone.

With Gressingham Foods often touted as UK’s main supplier, it is being feared that availability of British goose will be severely affected this Christmas. About 250,000 geese eaten over the festive period.

Although there are farmgate options for the public to seek out goose for Christmas, retailers are likely to have to look at imports, said Richard Griffiths, the chief executive of the British Poultry Council (BPC).

“Retailers are well versed at managing supply chains under challenging conditions. They are monitoring the continuing spread of avian flu and have asked the government to take all appropriate steps to reduce its spread to ensure continued supply for customers,” said Andrew Opie, the direcot of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium.

Gressingham Foods did not respond to requests for comment while supermarkets ruled out any concerns about duck or goose meat availability, stated the report.

Avian flu is probably carried by migrating birds, spreading through direct contact or through contaminated body fluids and faeces. It can also be spread by contaminated feed and water or by dirty vehicles, clothing and footwear.

In the event of a confirmed outbreak, any surviving birds in a flock are culled, with farmers compensated for the healthy birds. More than 100,000 ducks were reportedly culled at farms owned by Gressingham Foods earlier this year during previous outbreaks of bird flu.

The situation is likely to worsen as autumn migration begins and the number of wild birds wintering in Europe increases the risk of outbreaks, reports stated.