Poultry keepers are told they must obey rules
ALL poultry keepers, including smallholders and hobbyists, have been urged to follow avian influenza lockdown rules – or risk the disease decimating the egg and meat sectors.
The stark warning from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) comes as the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain was confirmed on January 28 in pheasants at a breeding farm on the Welsh island of Anglesey.
A 10km temporary control zone has been imposed by the Welsh Government around the site, but the BFREPA is warning that the threat of further outbreaks remains “very high”, with action needed from all poultry keepers in the UK and Northern Ireland in order to avoid a disaster.
There have been nearly 300 cases of avian influenza in wild birds, but so far strict biosecurity measures have limited cases at commercial premises to just 22.
Robert Gooch, chief executive of BFREPA, said the organisation has had many reports of small flocks and back-garden poultry keepers not following their legal obligation under the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to keep their birds indoors so as to prevent contact with wild birds.
He commented: “I am deeply concerned to hear reports of poultry seen outdoors during the most serious outbreak of avian influenza we have ever experienced. Farmers have been committed to strict biosecurity rules since the beginning of the current lockdown and have helped prevent further outbreaks.
“As we tackle the spread of avian influenza, it is imperative that all poultry owners – large and small – are keeping their birds indoors. It is not an ideal situation, but necessary as we all play our part in minimising the spread of this devastating disease.”
BFREPA, which represents farmers who look after 25 million birds, is reminding all smallholders with 50 or more birds that they are legally required to register them with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra) so that they can be contacted during an outbreak of avian influenza and prevent further spread, even if only kept as pets. Those with fewer than 50 birds are also encouraged to register.
Mr Gooch added that the BFREPA is concerned that a number of families who purchased and rehomed chickens for their gardens while spending more time at home due to lockdown restrictions may not be aware of their legal obligation.
He continued: “Not all families will have heard about the housing order or indeed about the outbreak, so it’s essential that we continue getting the message across loud and clear. For those simply ignoring the law, I have to stress that spreading the disease is increasing the likelihood of whole flocks of birds being culled – an option no one wants to see come to fruition and an outcome that can be prevented.”
The AIPZ was declared across the whole of England by Defra on November 11 last year, with additional housing measures coming into force from December 14. Keepers are being warned that failure to follow the APIZ rules and house captive birds could lead to a prison sentence of up to six months and an unlimited fine.