Avian flu sparks bird restrictions
Pet bird and poultry owners are being told to keep their animals under strict rules after outbreaks of avian flu have been reported across England and Wales.
The department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Defra, has immediately imposed the restrictions around the keeping and management of all birds kept inside homes as well as outside.
The rules have been introduced as England and Wales were declared an avian influenza prevention zone until further notice after confirmed cases in Kent, Chester and Chester West, and Herefordshire.
Bird and poultry owners are now required to be able to demonstrate measures they are taking if requested by a trading standards inspector and can be prosecuted if not adhered to.
Defra states a keeper of any bird must take practicable steps to avoid the transfer of virus, and where poultry is kept vehicle movements should be kept to a minimum and records of the transfer of ownership kept of eggs and birds.
Russell Denney-Clarke, Interim Trading Standards Manager said: “This advice is for all bird owners and is affective immediately.
“Racing, breeding, show birds and pets are all affected and the rules are to prevent the virus spreading to other birds and other areas.
“There are many people now who keep rescue chickens as garden pets for example and they will be affected by this announcement.”
The full advice can be found here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/934684/ai-prevention-zone-201111.pdf
Further advice can be obtained by contacting Trading Standards via the Citizen’s Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
The department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Defra, has immediately imposed the restrictions around the keeping and management of all birds kept inside homes as well as outside.
The rules have been introduced as England and Wales were declared an avian influenza prevention zone until further notice after confirmed cases in Kent, Chester and Chester West, and Herefordshire.
Bird and poultry owners are now required to be able to demonstrate measures they are taking if requested by a trading standards inspector and can be prosecuted if not adhered to.
Defra states a keeper of any bird must take practicable steps to avoid the transfer of virus, and where poultry is kept vehicle movements should be kept to a minimum and records of the transfer of ownership kept of eggs and birds.
Russell Denney-Clarke, Interim Trading Standards Manager said: “This advice is for all bird owners and is affective immediately.
“Racing, breeding, show birds and pets are all affected and the rules are to prevent the virus spreading to other birds and other areas.
“There are many people now who keep rescue chickens as garden pets for example and they will be affected by this announcement.”
The full advice can be found here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/934684/ai-prevention-zone-201111.pdf
Further advice can be obtained by contacting Trading Standards via the Citizen’s Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
