Poultry farm shuts over bird flu
AFARM near Exeter has announced that it has temporarily closed after an avian flu outbreak led to the culling of all its birds.
Moonridge Farm – a family-run business that has been breeding and selling poultry for over 20 years – made the announcement on its website and on social media.
In a statement on Facebook last week, a spokesperson for the farm at Newton St Cyres said they were unsure when they would be able to trade as a poultry farm again, sparking an emotional response from friends of the business. The post received more than 400 comments, voicing support for the business.
It comes after World of Country Life (WoCL) attraction had to temporarily close its doors due to the farm’s avian flu outbreak, from where the attraction received some birds.
A spokesperson for World of Country Life said at the time: “Due to an avian flu outbreak in Exeter, we have been asked by Animal Health to close the park, as a precaution, until tests on our five adult ducks have been carried out, as they came from the same farm. Please keep an eye on social media and our website for updates.”
It has since announced on its website that the attraction has reopened.
A fundraiser has been set up to support the owners of Moonridge Farm, which so far has raised £1,600 – in excess of its initial target of £500.
In a statement on Facebook on April 11, a spokesperson for Moonridge Farm wrote: “We have now closed Moon Ridge Farm for trade as we have unfortunately had avian flu so all our birds have been culled. We are not sure when we will be able to trade as a poultry farm again and if we will.
“We are currently dealing with Defra which takes a lot of patience time and energy. We are obviously devastated and we are going to take some time out to decide our next move. We would just like to thank all of our customers and suppliers for their support and good wishes. This is not the end of Moon Ridge so do keep an eye on our page. Thank you”.
A statement on the Go Fund Me page reads: “We have now closed Moon Ridge Farm for trade as we have unfortunately had avian flu so all our birds have been culled. Truly devastating as we started this business from nothing, no land, no premises not even a real home as we were in tied accommodation.”
Any funds raised will go directly to the farm business and help with costs incurred while being unable to trade. Following the outbreak the business has recommended that customers who are seeking poultry should contact Sign of the Owl Birds Pet Centre.
Last Friday the WMN reported that a third case of bird flu in just a week had been confirmed in Devon.
The case of the highly pathogenic H5NI strain of avian influenza was discovered in Tedburn St Mary and confirmed last Wednesday.
It followed two other cases in
Devon, one at Moonridge Farm in Newton St Cyres and the other also in Tedburn St Mary earlier this month.
Defra said the latest Tedburn St Mary outbreak was found in poultry and that “all birds on the infected premises will be humanely culled. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the premises.”
Earlier this month Defra reported that there were 92 cases of avian influenza H5N1 in England.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force across the UK on November 3, and was extended to include housing measures on November 29.
This means all bird keepers, regardless of whether they are pet birds, a commercial flock or just a few birds in a backyard, must keep their birds indoors and keep a close watch on them for signs of disease.
Following the latest cases, poultry owners in the South West are being reminded that they are legally required to maintain strict biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of bird flu spreading, including disinfecting all vehicles which have been transporting poultry, keeping farm access routes, parking areas, yards, areas around buildings and storage areas clean and tidy and well maintained, and making sure that all poultry houses or sheds are well maintained to ensure that wild birds do not nest or roost in them.
Bird flu is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds, you must report it by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. Report dead wild birds to Defra on 03459 33 55 77.
‘We have closed Moon Ridge Farm for trade. Truly devastating as we started this business from nothing’