Posted on: 10 November 2021
Bird flu – Latest situation: Avian influenza prevention zone declared across Great Britain
Poultry keepers must take action now to protect their flocks from bird flu this winter. From 5pm on Wednesday 3 November 2021 it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) means bird keepers across the country must:
- Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;
- Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
- Feed and water their birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
- Minimise movement into and out of bird enclosures;
- Cleanse and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
- Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas;
- Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances, e.g. zoo birds).
Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
The prevention zone will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu.
Poultry keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to Defra’s national dead wild bird helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (please select option 7) and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian flu advice.
Further information can be found at Bird flu – Latest situation: Avian influenza prevention zone declared across Great Britain – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE 08/11/2021
Changes to bird shows, markets and gatherings general licences: Following a risk assessment and the introduction of a Great Britain-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, the General Bird Gathering Licences have been amended to prohibit gatherings of poultry and specified species of birds. Changes take effect from 00:01 on Monday 8 November. Further information is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-gatherings-licences, GOV.SCOT: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-outbreaks/ and GOV.WALES: https://gov.wales/bird-gatherings-general-licence-gatherings