WITH bird flu now causing losses to poultry keepers all around the UK, there are still opportunities for worried producers to put insurance cover in place.

The NFU closed its book on new policies on 1 September, but other parties, such as packers and specialist brokers are still prepared to take on new business.

See also: Avian influenza: all poultry to be housed in England and Northern Ireland from midnight

As always, free-range flocks face the biggest problems, with their vulnerability to wild birds.

Andy Dutton, client director at David Roberts and Partners, said they were still writing both new and renewal business, subject to individual farms not being located in a current AI outbreak control zone.

“Our appetite hasn’t changed,” he said. “We are happy to write all chicken that are housed.”

Indoor-kept birds

Standard broilers, breeders, rearing units, egg layers and pullets that are usually housed were all acceptable, he added.

However, this did not apply to any birds that were being kept indoors under the housing order.

“If they are free-range birds normally, then we wouldn’t accept them now as they will be unhoused at some time in the future.”

The company also had “very little appetite for turkeys,” said Mr Dutton.

Cost of cover

“Pricing-wise, we haven’t seen any price changes over the last 12 months, and from our perspective, we don’t see that changing much unless this current surge of infections continues.”

Stonegate is one packer that is currently able to offer an insurance package to its 190 producers.

“With avian influenza a persistent threat for the poultry industry, we’re pleased to be offering this comprehensive cover to our producers for the third year in a row,” says Gabriella Whorwood, head of contract production at Stonegate.

While this package offers reassurance to current Stonegate producers, the company also hopes it will remove a big barrier for new entrants to the industry.

Packer cover

“We’re proud to be able to offer our producers the most comprehensive avian influenza insurance package in the industry,” claimed Ms Whorwood.

Under the scheme, each farm is assessed for its own risk, and then allocated a gold, silver or bronze package. The assigned benefit level will depend on an avian influenza risk assessment.

“Farms who sign-up to the insurance will receive financial support in the event of a confirmed avian influenza outbreak.

‘Shared risk’

This includes payment cover for up to 180 days of lost production, with a maximum benefit of £350,000 per producer.”

“We’re investing in this insurance package to share the risk of this disease and support our producer partners, now and in the future, to run a sustainable and financially viable business,” she said.

“While we’ve been fortunate that none of our producers have used this insurance to date, we want to continue to ensure we de-risk their operations as much as possible.”