Current forecasts from the FAO suggest global poultry meat production in 2006 will reach around 80 million tonnes, down one per cent year-on-year. In 2004 and most of 2005 outbreaks of avian influenza (Al), in particular the highly pathogenic strain of the virus (H5N1), were largely restricted to Asia and the Middle East, With the spread of H5N1 to Europe in 2006 the impact of Al on the poultry sector has become a global issue Outbreaks have caused dramatic swings in consumption, falling prices, production changes and trade disruption. The reaction amongst affected countries has been mixed with some faring better than others, but the future for the global poultry sector is uncertain.
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