Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Turkeys in lockdown to beat bird flu peril
We don’t do this lightly but it’s the best way to protect your birds UK CHIEF VETS IN MESSAGE TO BREEDERS ..but at least the Christmas roast should be safe
TURKEYS will be forced into lockdown from Monday to stop the spread of bird flu.
The measure comes amid soaring cases of the deadly H5N1 virus and also affects chickens, ducks and geese.
But Christmas dinners will not be hit as the strict rules are designed to safeguard the poultry market ahead of the festive season and avoid a cull.
Nine million turkeys have already been earmarked for Christmas.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs called the outbreak “serious”.
But it said: “We are not anticipating any knock-on effect.” It has ordered everyone who keeps birds – from farmers to families with hens in the back yard – to house them indoors to prevent the virus being passed on by migrating wild birds.
Pens must be regularly disinfected with access barred to non-essential workers and visitors.
Defra said measures would be reviewed regularly but it could be months before the lockdown is lifted.
Areas so far hit include Lancashire,
North Yorkshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Warwickshire, Dorset and Essex. The National Farmers’ Union said: “Vigilance is key with this disease.”
It added that it was working with farmers to help them meet the mandatory lockdown rules.
NFU poultry adviser Aimee Mahony said: “Protecting bird health and welfare is our priority.
“And with an increasing number of confirmed cases over the past few weeks, the introduction of national housing measures will help keep all birds as safe as possible These apply to all poultry keepers, whether you have one hen in the garden or a large poultry business.
“They have only days to implement them and I encourage everyone to act.”
A statement from UK chief veterinary officers said: “We have taken swift action to limit the spread and are now planning a legal requirement for all poultry and captive bird keepers to keep their birds separate from wild birds.
“We have not taken this decision lightly. Taking this action now is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”