As a result of the rising number of bird flu cases across the UK, new rules will come into force in less than 2 weeks’ time to force all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors for the foreseeable future.
The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in the new measures from 14th December to help protect poultry and captive birds.
In addition to the housing rules, bird keepers must follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
Public health advice is that the risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products including eggs.
Government Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging bird keepers to use the next 11 days to prepare for new housing measures, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet and where necessary put up additional housing.
These housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity regulations that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 11th November. The AIPZ means that all poultry and captive bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as cleaning and disinfecting equipment, clothing and vehicles, limiting access to non-essential people on their sites, and workers changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.
A joint statement from Great Britain’s three Chief Veterinary Officers said:
“We have taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease and are now planning to introduce a legal requirement for all poultry and captive bird keepers to keep their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds.
Article continues below this advertisement “Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from 14 December onwards you will be legally required to keep your birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease”.
Poultry and captive bird keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns.
Dead birds must be reported to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.
PCR tests are picking up covid on said birds…panic over we have a vaccine 🙂
Why wait until the 14th December? Doesn’t make sense.
Sounds familiar re COVID. We have a virus but let’s not lock down just yet let it spread a bit more first!!
No the fear is installed in all, the Government will use every way feasible to keep it alive to impose all the controls and expenses and restrictions upon us all. ALL done in the name of our ‘safety’.
Yet will allow in the dregs of the world to do the most vile crimes without a murmur now.
me hens dunt liok it
them wana be oout
nevur seed a one
wiv flue ner nothin
Chickens now in lockdown