Agriculture Victoria confirm a sixth farm in the Golden Plains region has been infected with bird flu

A sixth property has been infected with the bird flu found on a Golden Plains duck farm.

Wes and Amanda Humpage’s business WesEggs has been given a lifeline after they were ordered not to sell their eggs during an avian influenza. Picture: Mark Wilson

The bird flu struck another Golden Plains property on Thursday, this time infecting a commercial duck farm.

Six Victorian properties have now been affected, five in the Golden Plains and one at Terang.

On Thursday Agriculture Victoria discovered the strain of avian influenza at a duck farm already inside the restricted zone and in close proximity to ground zero.

The ducks on the property will be culled.

Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said the discovery was not unexpected given how close it was to the existing infected properties.

“We have established restricted and control areas in proximity to existing IPs (Infected Premises) which has assisted us in limiting the spread and quickly detecting the sixth IP through comprehensive surveillance activities,” Dr Cooke said.

He added the recent quarantine had been tough on farmers in the Golden Plains area and mental health support was available, with eligible farmers being able to get compensation.

Agriculture Victoria has assured consumers not be worried about eggs and duck meat products as they pose no risk and are still safe to consume.

Strict controls around movement in areas near Terang, Meredith and Lethbridge remain in place, which includes a buffer zone from Bacchus Marsh Rd in the east and the Colac–Ballarat Rd on the west.

Previously: Unaffected farmers rejoice after ban on selling eggs is overturned

A Maude business is celebrating after being allowed to sell eggs again.

WesEggs was not infected with bird flu as part of the recent outbreak in the Golden Plains area, but was still banned from shifting product.

On Monday, owners Wes and Mandy Humpage were told Agriculture Victoria had reversed the decision.

After getting the call just before lunchtime, Mr Humpage said he rushed to get some of his product into the hands of his customers.

“We went scrambling, calling everyone and packing the van,” he said.

While many shops closed for the King’s Birthday long weekend, customers stayed open just so the Humpages could drop off their eggs before Tuesday.

“We are grateful to (our) customers,” Mr Humpage said.

He said the couple had been overwhelmed with support online and from customers as the were ordered to cease trade following an outbreak of bird flu.

Agriculture Victoria has permitted WesEggs to sell their backlog of eggs produced prior to June 7, with all eggs laid after June 8 requiring new permits.

An Agriculture Victoria spokeswoman said farmers in Meredith and Terang could apply for permits online, but each property required an “in-depth” assessment.

“We are working directly with affected producers to allow eggs from non-infected farms in the Restricted and Control Areas to be safely distributed for sale as quickly as possible,” the spokeswoman said.

Mr Humpage said it was “great to see” a line of communication opened by Agriculture Victoria, which have provided access to a surveillance manager during the outbreak.

It comes after the Geelong Advertiser reported poultry farmers had been ordered not to sell their eggs on Monday’s front page.

Agriculture Victoria told farmers in the Golden Plains region no permits to sell eggs would be considered in the 28 days following the first reported case of bird flu.

Farmers were left stressed and scrambling following the decision, unable to pay their bills and offload their eggs to supermarkets and other customers.

Agriculture Victoria was criticised for a lack of communication during the bird flu outbreak, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of chickens being humanely culled.

Earlier: Farmers’ nightmare as bird flu outbreak hits uninfected farms

Poultry farms in the Golden Plains region have been left scrambling as even those not infected with avian influenza have been ordered to stop trading.

Five farms in the region near Lethbridge, Meredith and Terang are confirmed to be infected, equating to about 800,000 birds, while restricted and control zones have been established by Agriculture Victoria.

Wes and Mandy Humpage of WesEggs said they were applying for permits to move stock, as they are located within the restriction zone, however they received a new order from Agriculture Victoria to stop all movement of eggs.

They said the order left them, and surrounding farms, scrambling.

Mrs Humpage said they were sent the order in a letter on Tuesday night after not receiving confirmation of permits they submitted on Sunday.

She said the letter read: “Because of the potential ongoing risk of disease no further permits for shell eggs shall be considered by Agriculture Victoria until at least 28 days have elapsed since the first case was recorded in Victoria on May 21. Consideration of permits after this time will then be given dependent on the disease situation in Victoria at the time as well as a property-specific risk assessment.”

WesEggs owners Wes and Mandy Humpage have been hit by a new order preventing them from trading due to an outbreak of avian influenza. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mrs Humpage said it had been horrible and stressful.

“We had just put some new birds on our property, which was all permitted by Agriculture Victoria, who several days later said no egg movements,” she said.

“Those eggs pay for the feed for the new birds they told us we could purchase.”

An Agriculture Victoria spokeswoman said infected properties were under quarantine while all birds would humanely disposed of and sites cleared of the infection.

“This process is carried out under veterinary supervision, consistent with national policies and considering the welfare of the birds and staff,” she said.

“It’s a difficult time for farmers and we’re making sure mental health support is available and eligible producers can access compensation.”

The spokeswoman said financial compensation was available for businesses that experienced livestock or property losses as a direct result of the disease.

An spokesman for Avgo said the business had not yet received any compensation for the impacts of the outbreak but understood it was a lengthy process.

Avian influenza was found at its Meredith farm.

“The impact has been massive for our farms, our business, our people, our livelihoods, our plans and our future,” he said.

“We have gone back to the drawing board but I believe we will overcome this adversity.”

Victorian Farmers’ Federation egg group president Meg Parkinson said the outbreak was terribly devastating.

“There is compensation available at so much per bird depending on the bird’s age which Agriculture Victoria take a detailed inventory of,” she said.

“The money is paid for by government and industry.”

Avian influenza restricted, red, and control, purple, areas in the Golden Plains shire as of June 4. Picture: Agriculture Victoria

Mrs Humpage said there was no compensation for farms forced to stop trading.

“We’re more than happy to participate in surveillance regimes (of mortalities and production data) because we don’t want to see the spread of the virus,” she said.

Mr Humpage said there was limited communication from Agriculture Victoria.

“We’re all in this together,” he said.

“Agriculture Victoria should be proactive by being armed with people, knowledge and funding to find where they can help farms fortify biosecurity.”

Mr Humpage said it had been one of the hardest weeks the business had endured.

He said farms not trading needed financial assistance and eggs needed to be moving off farms.

“We can’t hold that many eggs on site, the notion that it’s possible for any egg farm is ridiculous,” he said.

“We also can’t keep paying our bills and staff for 28 days without selling eggs.”

Originally published as Agriculture Victoria confirm a sixth farm in the Golden Plains region has been infected with bird flu