New rules have been introduced across the UK to help prevent the spread of bird flu, Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Animal Health team have announced. All bird keepers (including bus...
New rules have been introduced across the UK to help prevent the spread of bird flu, Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Animal Health team have announced.
All bird keepers (including businesses/farmers and those who keep birds as pets or as a hobby) are now legally required to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
The new rules came in to force on 14th December following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK.
Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said:
“Please help us to eradicate this disease by adopting good biosecurity and reporting suspected avian influenza in poultry or captive birds and any dead wild birds to Defra.”
More information, including guidance for bird keepers on spotting avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it, is available here: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/animalhealthemergencies
All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.
You should register your poultry, even if only kept as pets, so you can be contacted during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants. To register your birds, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms
Avian influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77 - please select option 7).
Public Health England advises that the risk to the public’s health is very low. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. The Department for Environment Farming and Rural Affairs has stated that poultry products - including eggs - are still safe to consume.
Avian influenza is unconnected with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Advice for housing your birds
- If you have one, house your birds in a purpose built building. If you don’t have one, make use of existing building such as barns, farm sheds, outbuildings, garages and garden sheds and adapt these for your birds
- Ensure there is adequate light and ventilation
- Any openings must be netted to prevent wild birds gaining access
- If you keep ducks or geese, they must be kept separate from other poultry species
Biosecurity Measures
- Wear clean boots and clothing and wash your hands
- Keep your poultry house and your equipment clean (disinfect hard areas your birds can access on a regular basis)
- Prevent wild birds accessing the feed and water you give to your birds
- Control rodents
- For more advice visit: https://tinyurl.com/y86ln37k