Following confirmation that the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is being extended to 30 April 2017, the Chief Veterinary Officer, Robert Huey today reminded bird keepers to be prepared ahead of its implementation next Friday.
The current Prevention Zone, which expires at 11.59pm on 16 March, requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds in Northern Ireland to keep their birds indoors or take all appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds, and to enhance biosecurity.
The new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which will be in place from 17 March until at least 30 April, provides keepers in all areas of Northern Ireland with the option to let their birds outside, subject to them applying additional biosecurity mitigation measures.
Mr Huey said: “The risk of infection from wild birds will not decrease in the coming weeks. The changes to the new Prevention Zone are proportionate and place the onus on the keeper to select the best option for their circumstances to protect their birds.
“Poultry keepers will have the option to voluntarily house their birds, and for many this will continue to be the most practical way to comply with the requirements of the zone and minimise the risk of infection, but it will have implications for labelling their produce as free range.
“If they chose to let their birds out, they must ensure compliance with the additional biosecurity mitigation measures.
“The new approach will give keepers options and allow free range production to continue.”
He added “A letter is being sent to all registered bird keepers in Northern Ireland to make them aware of the changing requirements within the Prevention Zone, and to provide a checklist of steps to take before letting their birds outside on 17 March.
“I continue to encourage strongly all bird keepers, to register their flocks. This will ensure they receive the latest information from the Department and also allow them to be contacted in an avian disease outbreak enabling them to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity”.
The Chief Veterinary Officer also spoke of the importance of keepers remaining vigilant for signs for the disease and to continue to practice the very highest levels of biosecurity.
“It is essential that bird keepers comply with the biosecurity requirements set out in the declaration of the Prevention Zone, if they are to minimise the risk of infection. Key to this will be ensuring that their birds are separated from wild birds when outside. Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease, and any suspicion should be reported immediately to your local Divisional Veterinary Office,” he said.
Expert advice remains that consumers should not be concerned about eating eggs or poultry and the threat to public health from the virus is very low.
There continues to be a ban on gatherings of some species of birds (livestock fairs, auctions, shows or other events) and this applies to those attending with bird species which are considered at higher risk of spreading avian influenza, including all poultry and game bird species, ducks, geese and swans. Gatherings of pigeons, aviary birds and birds of prey can continue to take place.
Notes to editors:
Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it to their local Divisional Veterinary Office.
All poultry and other birds must be registered with DAERA. Download an application form
Further information about Avian Influenza, including biosecurity guidance
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was first declared in Northern Ireland on 23 December 2016 and then renewed from 20 January 2017. The current zone expires at 11:59 on 16 March 2017, after which the zone declared today (10 March) will come into effect.
Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the DAERA helpline on 0300 200 7840, Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm).
All media enquiries to DAERA Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.