Northern parts of the Isle of Wight have now been designated as ‘high risk areas’ for avian flu, meaning fully netted outside areas, pens, cages and aviaries must be used.
On 28th February avian flu disease control measures were amended across the UK, but commercial and private keepers of poultry or captive birds are encouraged to ensure that their biosecurity measures are maintained, to ensure their flocks and wild birds in the community are protected.
Guidance from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, advises that “all poultry keepers must take active steps to separate their birds from wild birds, in particular from wild ducks, geese and gulls”.
The options are:
- Managed access to outdoor areas/range – only allowed outside high risk areas (South Wight)
- Housing
- Fully netted outside areas, pens, cages and aviaries – mandatory in the high risk areas and optional outside the high risk areas.
More information is available on the Isle of Wight Council’s website at https://www.iwight.com/Business/Trading-Standards/AgricultureAnimalFeedandFertilizers/Farmers-and-Livestock.
