Victoria Extends Poultry Housing Orders as H5 Bird Flu Spreads in Wild Birds

Victoria, Australia extended mandatory poultry housing orders 28 days from September 19 due to ongoing H5 avian flu deaths in wild coastal birds. Egg industry leaders warn large-scale free-range operations face major biosecurity risks once orders lift, while farmers cite costly mitigation tools like bird lasers ($3,500-$4,000) as unaffordable.

Why it matters: Illustrates free-range biosecurity vulnerabilities and mitigation costs (bird lasers at $3,500-$4,000) relevant to US producers facing similar HPAI wild-bird risk decisions.

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