'Red mite estimated to cause £315m of financial damage to European poultry market'

Dave Hodson of Rosehill Agricultural Trading, Shropshire, said: “It is important to remember that the treatment is not a vaccine and is only active in a bird for 15 to 20 days, after which point re-infection can occur.

“Red mite is estimated to cause £315 million worth of financial damage to the European market, but at farm level can have wide-reaching implications.

“For the busy free range farmer it is important that keeping red mite at a minimal level, and treatments must be perfectly applied and appropriate to the burden. Osian was able to keep red mite levels low, bird health excellent with no need for antibiotics and production consistently high”

Despite the considerable cost of the product, Mr Williams said it was an investment he had found was worth making on his unit, in terms of its effectiveness in controlling red mite when administered correctly, compared to other options, such as spraying, alongside the associated reduction in other treatments including antibiotic usage.

He added that it should be used as a tool, in combination with other control methods, to minimise red mite in the flock.