Government step up bird flu awareness

Lack of info irks poultry farmer

The Scottish Government say they are working hard to ensure poultry farmers are aware of the precautions required to prevent bird flu reaching Scotland.

The Observer reported on Friday that Jane Harrower, of Craigievern Poultry near Balfron Station, claims she only found out about the new avian influenza prevention measures brought in last week through social media.

She currently has around 1500 birds and ducks at the farm with those of age, accounting to more than half, currently kept free-range.

It was announced last Tuesday that the prevention zone required all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors, or separate to wild birds, for the next 30 days.

This comes after a number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 which is causing deaths in wild birds across Europe.

Jane said that while her priority is to look after the welfare of her birds, the new measures being brought in won’t be good for her business.

And she claimed to have only found out about the new precautions through social media. She said: “This is going to bring many challenges for us but it has all come quite suddenly and as a bit of a surprise. We only found out about this through watching news and looking on social media.

“I’ve signed up to the Poultry Keeper’s Register, so I thought I would have been notified through that. I don’t think this has been handled very well. I’ve even spoken to some people who didn’t know about it.”

However, the Government insist they have been doing all they can to ensure those affected remain in the loop.

A spokesperson said: “[We have been] distributing information to all media outlets, posting advice and support on our own web pages and engaging key stakeholders, such as the NFUS and bird groups, to help reach more individuals and groups.

“The Animal and Plant Health Protection agency notified subscribers of its notifiable animal disease text and email alerts on Tuesday December 6.

“It is really important that anyone who keeps birds or poultry follows the advice they are receiving through various media channels.”

To find out more go to www.gov.scot/ avianinfluenza. Anyone with more than 50 birds is required to register as a poultry keeper and for more information on this go to www.gov.uk/poultry-registration.