New mandatory housing measures for kept birds have been
introduced across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon
Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, following a decision by
ministers after advice from the United Kingdom's Chief Veterinary
Officer.
These enhanced measures are in response to the escalating local
risk and number of cases of bird flu in the area.
This means from noon on 23 December all bird keepers in East
Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire,
Norfolk and Suffolk whether they have pet birds, commercial
flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must keep their
birds housed to protect them from bird flu. These measures are in
addition the requirement to follow the stringent biosecurity
measures which have been in force across the area since the 13
December as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).
Bird keepers are advised to consult the interactive
map to check if they are impacted and should then read
the new regional AIPZ with
housing measure declaration which sets out the
requirements in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon
Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss
said:
There continues to be a growing number of bird flu cases on
commercial farms and in backyard birds across East Riding of
Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and
Suffolk. We have taken action to try and prevent the further
spread of disease and urge bird keepers to comply with the new
housing measures.
Bird keepers must continue to exercise robust biosecurity
measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report
suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health
Agency.
The Chief Veterinary Officer is now encouraging all bird keepers
in the affected regions to take action now to comply with the new
mandatory housing measures and protect the health of their birds,
including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare. Keepers
should consult their private vet and expand and enhance housing
where necessary. In addition to areas where an AIPZ including
housing is in force, in order to mitigate the risk of disease
spread, mandatory housing for all poultry and other captive birds
also applies in any 3km Protection Zone in force surrounding
infected premises.
The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity
measures that were brought in as part of the AIPZ last week,
covering the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon
Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The AIPZ means that all
bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as restricting
access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change
clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and
cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of
the disease spreading.
A high standard of biosecurity, separation of poultry from wild
birds including through housing in the areas of highest risk,
heightened vigilance by bird keepers, and regular monitoring for
signs of disease remain the most effective means of controlling
an outbreak of bird flu and protecting flocks both in the area
and across the country from bird flu.
The prevention measures introduced through an AIPZ are introduced
in a phased and escalating manner proportionate to the escalating
risk to an area. The need for AIPZs is kept under regular review
as part of the government's work to monitor and manage the risks
of bird flu. Any decisions on when to reintroduce a national or
further regional AIPZs or extend AIPZs to include housing
measures are based on risk assessments built on the latest
scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary
advice.
The housing measure means bird keepers in the affected
area must:
- house all poultry and captive birds (except in specific
circumstances e.g. zoo birds)
- keep feed and bedding inside
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and
vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds–
if practical, use disposable protective clothing
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and
from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise
contamination from manure, slurry and other products
- carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry
and captive birds are kept
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete
walkways on a continuous basis
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all
farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use bird
scarers, foils or streamers)
The current risk to human health remains very low and properly
cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to
eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels
of risk and are keeping this under constant review.
Keepers are encouraged to take action to prevent
bird flu and stop it spreading. Be vigilant for signs of
disease and report it to keep your birds safe.
See the interactive
map for details of control zones and check
the declarations for
details of the restrictions.
Check if you're in a bird flu
disease zone on the map and check Defra-approved disinfectant:
when and how to use it - GOV.UK
