Bird flu latest: restrictions for England and Scotland
Avian influenza prevention zones have been put in place across both countries, with housing orders extended mostly in the east of England.
Restrictions are in place across Great Britain to try to slow the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). All bird-keepers, from those with pet birds to farmers with enormous flocks, are now required to follow strict hygiene measures imposed by the Government.
In some counties, mostly across the east of England, even stricter rules — in the form of housing orders (HO) — are being put in place, which means birds must be kept indoors. This news comes in the days after the flock at Griffiths Family Farms in Shropshire, one of the UK’s largest poultry farms, tested positive for HPAI, requiring one million hens to be culled.
The following day, another outbreak was confirmed in 15,000 turkeys at a farm in North Yorkshire near Easingwold, which have also been humanely despatched.
An avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) has been declared across England, Wales and Scotland, while both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have had AIPZs in place since mid-January. In England, regional HOs have been extended to include York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire.
The outbreak in Shropshire was so close to the Welsh border that the 10km surveillance zone extends into Wales, and we now have disease control zones in England, Scotland and Wales.
Dominic Boulton, game sector representative at Defra’s national avian disease core group, told Shooting Times: “The extension of restrictions announced recently by Defra was only to be expected after the sharp upswing in the number of confirmed cases. Unfortunately, the trend of falling case numbers seen in the first half of January did not persist, and the Game Farmers Association supports Defra’s decision to extend the AIPZ to cover the whole of England.
“The main implications for game management at this time of year are the nationwide mandatory requirement to observe the 21-day standstill before moving caught-up birds, and the enhanced biosecurity requirements laid down in the AIPZ and HO for anyone with captive birds, such as overwintered breeders or recently caught-up birds, which become captive once caught-up. There are also local restrictions.
“Catching-up is only permitted by law until 1 February in England and Wales, and 28 February in Scotland. Anyone with captive birds should familiarise themselves with their legal responsibilities, details of which can be found on the relevant government websites.”
