D66 MEP Tjeerd de Groot also calls for vaccination. Earlier this year, he drew up the Avian Flu Action Plan. The intention was to start vaccinating at the end of this year. But it hasn’t happened yet.
great drama
“This is a great drama,” says De Groot. “In the first place for the chickens. If an infection is detected, all the animals on a farm must now be killed. This is a drama for the animals and the farmers. It is crazy to kill so many animals while there is a vaccine that it works quite well. “
That vaccine protects the chickens, but it only helps a little to prevent it from spreading. That is why a large study is now underway to find a better vaccine.
Don’t wait for a “perfect vaccine”
“I have nothing against looking for an even better vaccine,” says De Groot. “But we’re going to work on this for another year. And we can’t really afford it.”
“This existing available vaccine has already been used in 2 billion animals and with a demonstrably reduced chance of it spreading. Animals don’t get sick. So let’s start with that and don’t wait for an even better ‘perfect’ vaccine. This is bad for you. animals and for the taxpayer.
European Union
However, the rules within the European Union must first be loosened. The agreement stipulates that eggs and meat from chickens vaccinated against avian flu cannot be marketed.
“That’s why I say: Minister Adema will play the drum in Brussels,” says De Groot. “So that you can go to the European Commission with other countries with the same problems, for example France or Germany. Then you ask for permission to vaccinate and that automatically means that those products can be exchanged.”
Long term
Even this does not solve everything. “Vaccination is short-term, but we have to prevent this from happening in the long-term. This can be done by reducing our livestock and creating more space,” says the MP. “We have 100 million chickens in the Netherlands on a very small area. And we also have nature.
“In reality, such a large barn with thousands of chickens is a great mixing vessel for viruses. If you add bird flu to that, there is a chance that it will change and become dangerous for people.”
