Avian Influenza

[greenlands]

The latest statement from DEFRA in relation to Avian Influenza is included below, along with the relevant extract from the AI Code of Practice.

 

Please note that multi loft training remains banned throughout the UK. As soon as we have an update in relation to the General License for Gatherings you will be updated.

The following is an extract from the Avian Influenza Code of Practice for Pigeon Racing; for more info please visit this page.

 

2) In Outbreak areas: where an Infected Premises has been confirmed and your loft is within the Protection or Surveillance Zones surrounding this:

• You must follow any restrictions imposed. You may need to apply for licences to undertake certain actions – information on the restrictions and the licences will bemade available on the government websites.

• In a 10km Surveillance Zone you can let your birds out for exercise, though they must not have an open loft to freely come and go, which would increase the chance of wild birds entering your loft and contaminating it.

• If your birds are located in the 3km Protection Zone you will be able to exercise your birds (not with an open loft) once preliminary cleaning and disinfection has been completed at the Infected Premises and the initial epidemiological investigations have been completed, to ensure there are no high risk contacts to your loft (for example workers, veterinary visits, feed deliveries, visitors, etc). If the time to complete the preliminary cleaning and disinfection and epidemiological investigations is long then if you think there may be welfare issues for your birds, exercising may be allowed following agreement from an official veterinary welfare request and obtaining a licence to do so.

• If your birds are located in the 3km Protection Zone you cannot train or race your birds until the larger Surveillance Zone has been lifted. Generally it takes around 30- 40 days after the outbreak has been confirmed to lift these zones, but may be significantly longer if further outbreaks occur in the area.

 

DEFRA UPDATE

Dear Stakeholder,

 

New Cases of Avian Influenza

 

On 27th March 2021 Avian influenza H5N8 was confirmed in broiler chickens at a commercial premises near Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire. On the 29th March 2021 this was confirmed as a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5N8). A 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the infected premises.

On 26th March 2021 Avian influenza H5N3 was confirmed in turkey breeders at a commercial premises near Winsford, Cheshire West and Chester. On 27th March 2021 this was confirmed as a low pathogenic strain (LPAI H5N3). A 1km Restricted Zone has been put in place around the infected premises.

Further details on the latest situation and the measures that apply in each of these disease control zones can be found on the GOV.UK website.

 

What does this mean for the lifting of the housing measures and the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ)?

In light of the two most recent cases of avian influenza we urgently reviewed the risk of avian influenza to both wild and kept birds and the implications of preceding with the lifting of the housing measures component of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

Following the review of the risk the compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will still be lifted across GB at 23:59 on the 31st March 2021.

The AIPZs requiring enhanced biosecurity will remain in force across GB but Wednesday 31 March 2021 will be the last day poultry and other captive birds will need to be housed (housing restrictions end 23:59 31 March 2021).

Bird gatherings will remain prohibited.

However, housing remains mandatory for all poultry and captive birds which are located in the 3km Protection Zone surrounding an infected premises. Check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in zone on our interactive map

The new cases of avian influenza emphasise that high standards of biosecurity remain essential as infection may still be present in the environment.

All bird keepers (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) are legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements under the AIPZ to protect their birds from this highly infectious virus.

To assist all bird keepers in complying with these rule we have published both biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist.

If bird keepers intend to allow their birds outside after 31 March they must take action now to prepare the outside areas. Read our guidance on how to prepare for safe release of your birds.

In particular it is critical that bird keepers prevent contact either directly or indirectly between their birds and wild birds including:

when birds are released they must be in a fenced area;

where necessary ponds and watercourses must be fenced off to minimise contact with wild birds;

taking action to protect bedding, feed and water sources at all times from contact with both wild birds and bird faeces.

Biosecurity guidance and information on the latest avian influenza situation are available at:

England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Scotland: www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza

Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu