It’s a tragic numbers game for the Langfield Pastoral Company (LPC), who own the egg production facility virtually wiped out by the outbreak of H7 avian influenza.

The 400,000 layer hens that call the Wambanumba Free Range poultry farm, at Bendick Murrell, home will be culled and up to three million eggs will have to be destroyed.  

Thousands of birds have already been wiped out, as the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) works to eradicate the disease

Operators of the farm, the Langfield Pastoral Company, refused to comment when contacted by The Young Witness on Wednesday, redirecting the call to the Australian Egg Corporation. 

NSW Farmers Association Egg Committee chairman, Bede Burke, said the owners would be devastated.

“It’ll hit them very hard ... our thoughts go out to the family and associated businesses, it’s going to be a long journey,” Mr Burke said.

“They’re really world-leading farmers in terms of biosecurity – it shows the rest of us that even the world’s best practice and vigilance isn’t enough to keep this away.”

Mr Burke said it appeared the flu was spread by wild birds which had come into contact with the laying hens as they roamed a free-range area. 

He said the control of wild birds was a “point of weakness” in free-range operations and urged other farmers to ensure their biosecurity measures were in place.

“Beyond this affected farm, others need to be vigilant, especially in the time immediately after the detection,” Mr Burke said.

The NSW Food Authority confirmed eggs already in store are still safe to eat and, with the flu posing no threat to human safety, Mr Burke encouraged consumers to “get in and support the industry”.

On Wednesday, leader of the opposition in the NSW upper house, Luke Foley, used question time to ask the government what was being done to control the outbreak and what support and assistance was being provided to the affected producer. 

Roads Minister Duncan Gay, who spoke on behalf of Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson, said the DPI and Livestock Health and Pest Authorities were working closely with the property owners, NSW Food Authority, Australian Egg Corporation and NSW Health.

Mr Gay confirmed two LPC properties had been placed under strict quarantine, but said the key message was not to overreact.

“The proper controls have been put in place,” Mr Gay said. 

“While some people might identify it immediately with some of the more rampant varieties from overseas, this is not one of them.”

The quarantine arrangements and the 10 kilometre controlled zone will remain in place until there is no evidence of the disease on the property.

It is understood the situation may not be resolved until the farm gets through another potential incubation period, possibly in 12 to 14 days. 

The strain is not the highly pathogenic H5N1 variety that can kill humans.

Anyone who sees sick or dead birds should call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.