Poultry to be allowed out under new flu guidance

POULTRY keepers will soon be able to keep their flocks outside so long as they take steps to ensure they can’t come into contact with wild birds.

The Welsh Government has announced a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone will be put in place from February 28 until April 30.

Currently, poultry keepers are required to keep all captive birds indoors or take all appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds and to enhance biosecurity.

It follows a number of confirmed cases of avian flu across the UK, including in a backyard flock of chicken and ducks near Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire.

The new prevention zone requires all keepers to complete a self-assessment of biosecurity measures on their premises.

The aim is to keep domestic flocks separate from wild birds by continuing to keep birds housed or using other measures, which may include permitting controlled access to outside areas, subject to the introduction of additional risk mitigation measures.

The decision to put the new zone in place is based on expert and industry advice and because the risk of infection from wild birds is unlikely to decrease in the coming weeks.

Clare Morgan, NFU Cymru Poultry Board chairman said: “We welcome this announcement from the Cabinet Secretary that provides a proportionate response to the disease risk posed and gives clarity to the industry on the situation in Wales.

“Importantly the conditions around the new prevention zone provide the opportunity, subject to meeting the appropriate conditions, for producers to maintain the free range status of their flocks. All producers now need to carefully consider the options open to them, undertake the risk assessment process that has been developed by Welsh Government and put in place the appropriate risk mitigation measures.

“In particular, producers who decide to let their flocks outside should use the next fortnight to prepare their range accordingly in line with the advice by provided by Welsh Government. We would highlight that this is a process that all poultry producers, no matter the size of their flock, must undertake to ensure that everyone does their utmost to minimise the risk of this disease getting into the Welsh poultry flock.

“The free-range poultry industry is important to the Welsh agricultural industry. Hundreds of Welsh farmers have invested heavily in free-range poultry units to provide meat and eggs, which are in high demand by the British public. We would urge all keepers of poultry, including backyard flocks, to undertake the assessment without delay.”