'Danger for fipronil has passed'

The whole week is dominated by the fipronile eggs. On Tuesday evening, August 1, the NVWA expanded the list of contaminated eggs by another 27 codes. But what exactly are the consequences of the frenzy surrounding fipronil? Eric Hubers, chairman of the Poultry Farming Department at LTO Nederland, explains. 

An infection of this nature doesn't just happen, does it?
"No, that's right. A poultry service company, called ChickFriend, from Barneveld is the key to that question. That company has treated the chickens against red mite on all affected farms. The product worked so well that other companies were also interested in ChickFriend. , it turned out that the company's product was mixed with fipronil, which is used for the control of dogs and cats, but is banned in the poultry sector. The poultry farms were not aware of this, because the drug was not mentioned on the receipt. therefore assumed that the company had removed the lice in a legal way.Only when a random test in Belgium was checked for the presence of fipronil (and it was found), the Dutch authorities were called in. then start rolling." 

I take it this has quite a few consequences?
"That's right. The costs for poultry farmers cannot yet be estimated, but it is certain that they will be very high. This starts with the fact that the companies were shut down by the NVWA, and therefore could not deliver eggs. The costs for cleaning the barn will be quite disappointing to the poultry farmers, because that is a very difficult operation when the chickens are still in the barn. The situation is unique and therefore it is difficult for us to determine how we are going to tackle this. Incidentally, it must be possible to get the stables completely clean again."

When do you think poultry farmers will be able to deliver decently again?
"The eggs may only be delivered again when they have been detoxified. This is only possible by feeding the chickens low in energy. This causes the chickens to molt and lose their feathers. The chicken then makes new feathers and uses a lot of energy for this. , which is mainly broken down from the belly fat. This also releases the fipronil from the chicken. According to various toxicologists, this process takes 4 to 6 weeks. However, that's not all. Before the eggs can be delivered again, a sample has to be taken. be taken by the NVWA. The results of this take at least 3 days. In the worst case, the poultry farmer has to cull his chickens. The costs involved are quite high (€0,60 per chicken and €0,07 per egg and that per day). 

It seems logical to me that ChickFriend should pay for those costs?
"That does seem logical, but I think the bill will eventually end up with the poultry farmers. Although they will certainly start a claim. However, because ChickFriend is a small company, it will be difficult to recover the damage there. Let's in any case, we hope that the government will make provisions for these poultry farmers, as has also happened in the past with bird flu."

Last week, the Netherlands was dominated by fipronil. But how great is the threat to public health?
"That danger actually no longer exists. All the necessary measures have already been taken. The companies that have traded with ChickFriend have been blocked and the infected eggs have already been removed from the shops. In addition, the Dutch standards are extremely safe. "Eggs are still being tested, of course, but those results are expected before the weekend. Then there will be full clarity about any dangers, but I don't expect them to be that extreme."

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