Following the number of Avian Influenza cases that have been seen across the UK, it has been announced that new housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds will be brought into place across England, Scotland and Wales on Monday 14th December.
The new housing measures will mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers, both commercial and domestic, to keep their birds housed and to continue to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the risk of the spread of disease.
A joint statement from Great Britain’s three Chief Veterinary Officers, of England, Scotland and Wales, said: “We have taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease and are now planning to introduce a legal requirement for all poultry and captive bird keepers to keep their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds.
Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from 14 December onwards you will be legally required to keep your birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”
For more information on the housing measure, please see the gov.uk website here.
We will keep you updated on any further developments. If you have any concerns regarding the health and welfare of your birds and how the housing measures will impact your flock, please speak to your local vet or contact the practice on 01392 872932.