DEFRA has suspended four disinfectant products for use under the Poultry Orders under the Defra approved disinfectant scheme.
They are now listed as under temporary suspension on the government’s website, but Defra declined to comment on the reason for the suspension of individual products.
The products are Virkon S powder, Virkon Professional, Hyperox and Omnicide. To be reinstated, the disinfectant must be re-submitted to Defra for approval.
A spokesperson for Lanxess, which produces three of the products, declined to comment on the matter.
The suspension means that the products cannot be used in an outbreak of notifiable avian or zoonotic disease.
But both Red Tractor and the Lion scheme require disinfectants to be Defra approved, effectively meaning that they cannot be used on farms signed up to either assurance scheme.
A spokesperson for Defra said: “APHA has suspended four disinfectant products for use under the Poultry Order approval under the Defra approved disinfectant scheme.
“Where there is a statutory requirement to use an approved disinfectant, poultry keepers are advised to use an alternative product that is listed for use in England, Scotland and Wales.”