Bird Flu Confirmed In Laois

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 06:43

The Minister for Agriculture is expressing his sympathy to the affected farmer.

An outbreak of bird flu's been confirmed in a flock of 30,000 turkeys, on a farm in County Laois.

Restriction zones have been established around the farm, after the outbreak was identified last Friday.

It's one of a number of flocks that have been impacted by outbreaks in recent weeks.

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said: "Unfortunately, another outbreak of avian influenza has occurred, this time in a turkey flock in Co Laois, detected on November 21.

"First and foremost, I want to express my sympathy with the flock owner concerned, and with the other flock owners who have been impacted by outbreaks in recent weeks in Co Monaghan, Meath, and Carlow, as well as staff in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.

"This is a dynamic and evolving situation, particularly during the high-risk period for avian influenza. My department has moved swiftly to implement disease control measures in line with national and EU legislation."

Brendan Soden is the IFA's poultry vice-chairman - he says it's terrible timing in the run up to Christmas: