A poultry farmer in Co. Monaghan has said that it is critically important to protect their flocks from avian influenza.
Nigel Renaghan owns and runs a poultry farm with his wife in in north Co. Monaghan.
He attended a webinar organised by Teagasc last night which highlighted the risk of bird flu, and the biosecurity measures needed to tackle the disease.
The Department of Agriculture has introduced a housing order, which comes into effect on Monday.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show this morning, Mr. Renaghan outlined the biosecurity measures he has taken on his farm.
He said: “It’s a very very worrying time. It’s a lot of work for us, and it’s extra work.
“Going into the sheds, we change footwear, and our clothes, twice.
“As we go into shed we change footwear. Then in the store, before we go into the part of the shed with the birds, we change again. We’re washing our hands as well.
“There’s an awful lot of detail that has to be done. We put in the work, because at the end of the day, we rely on poultry to support us, and get our living.
“We have to remember, that this is a virus,” Mr. Renaghan added.