If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.Īll bird keepers (whether they are pet birds, a commercial farm or just a few birds in a backyard flock) can remain vigilant and help prevent avian influenza by: Advice to poultry keepersĪll bird keepers must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. There is no impact on the consumption of properly cooked poultry products, including eggs.ĭo not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find and instead report them using the new online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline.Īvian influenza is in no way connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is not carried in poultry or captive birds. The UKHSA advise that the available evidence suggests viruses currently circulating in birds in the UK do not spread easily to people and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. However, there are still localised areas of risk as we have seen recently, and therefore it’s vital that everyone keeps biosecurity and cleanliness at the forefront of their minds to keep their flocks safe.”Īll poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country. “This would not have been possible without the hard work of all bird keepers, who have upheld high biosecurity standards for many months. “Now we are in the summer months and the risk to poultry across Great Britain has reduced, it is the right time to lift the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said: The prevention measures introduced through the AIPZ including housing measures are introduced in a phased and escalating manner proportionate to the escalating risk to an area and may be introduced or withdrawn on a regional or national basis depending on the epidemiological situation.Īll bird keepers must follow enhanced measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks and remain vigilant for signs of disease. Find out more about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public. The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 330 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021. The scale of avian influenza outbreaks across the UK and Europe have been unprecedented with cases being confirmed into the second year of an outbreak for the first time. The risk has reduced but as we have seen with recent premises confirmations, it has not gone away. As a result, the mandatory requirements were lifted from 4 July 12pm. The risk of avian influenza has now reduced to low for all poultry. The measures have been vital in protecting flocks across the country from the virus which is circulating in wild birds. The enhanced biosecurity measures were brought in across Great Britain in October when there was a medium risk for some poultry premises. You can find a copy of the 2023 Garden Grant application here.The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for poultry and captive birds, introduced to help stop the spread of avian influenza (‘bird flu’), has been lifted. *Recipients can only receive a total of two Garden Grants. Completion of Progress Report on previous grant required to apply again. Eligible to re-apply for a second grant if your previous funds were received in 2021 or earlier.Be growing edible plants in your garden. Engage at least 10 children on a regular basis.
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