Butcher says turkey is safer than ever despite bird flu outbreak

A LETTERKENNY butcher believes that, despite several bird flu outbreaks across the country over the past week, turkey will be safer this year than ever before.

Compulsory housing orders for all poultry and captive birds came into force yesterday, following three confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza on turkey farms in Meath, Carlow and Monaghan.

So far this year, approximately 40,000 birds have been destroyed because of the outbreak.

Paddy Gildea, a local butcher with nearly 60 years of experience, told the Donegal News that he has never seen anything like this before.

However, he does not think it is a cause for concern either.

In the run up to Christmas, Paddy, who operates a mobile butcher’s van at the Letterkenny Artisan Market each Saturday, sells roughly 600 turkeys.

Sourcing his produce locally, he said that although some people might be hesitant to buy turkey this year due to the rise in disease, enhanced safety measures mean turkeys will be safer than ever.

“I never remember anything like this before, it’s a first,” he said.

“Anyone that has turkeys will be keeping them under control, there will be inspections everywhere.

“I think because of the bird flu outbreak, turkey will never be safer as what it will be this
year.”

Although this is good news, the Letterkenny man has warned that as a result, we may experience slight turkey shortages this festive season, paired with price increases due to increased
input costs.

“Turkey is going to be a bit more expensive this year because of the price of meal and the electric that is being used to keep them warm,” he continued.

“There is also going to be a bit of a shortage, I would imagine, but, not much.”

Beginning his butchering career in January 1967, Paddy first took up employment in Doherty’s Butchers alongside his cousin Jimmy Gildea.

Paddy also ran his own shop, Gildea Farm Butchers, at the foot of the town for a number of years.