Following the number of Avian Influenza cases that have been seen across the UK, it has been announced that new housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds will be brought into place across England, Scotland and Wales on Monday 14th December.
The new housing measures will mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers, both commercial and domestic, to keep their birds housed and to continue to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the risk of the spread of disease.
A joint statement from Great Britain’s three Chief Veterinary Officers, of England, Scotland and Wales, 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.
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.”
For more information on the housing measure, please see the gov.uk website here.
Whilst the new housing measures will not impact released birds, it is applicable to overwintered laying stock. For those who are overwintering, please contact your local St David’s veterinary surgeon who will be able to advise on the appropriate steps during this period.
It is important that all gamekeepers continue to be highly vigilant during this time, and take the appropriate steps, where necessary, to limit the risk of the spread of disease.
Please note that both the new housing order, and the previously enforced Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) also restrict the movement of birds.
If you have any concerns or questions relating to the housing order and how this could impact your site, please contact your local St David’s team by calling 01392 872932 or emailing info@stdavids-gamebirds.co.uk
