The Avian Influenza Protection Zone covering Northern Ireland is being extended until 31 May 2017, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has confirmed.
The current Prevention Zone, which expires at 11.59pm on 30 April, provides keepers in all areas of Northern Ireland with the option to let their birds outside subject to them complying with additional biosecurity mitigation measures.
Ahead of the implementation of the new Prevention Zone on Monday 1 May, Northern Ireland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Robert J Huey is reminding all bird keepers to remain vigilant. He said: “The risk of infection from wild birds is decreasing and is expected to continue to decrease in the coming weeks. The decision to extend the prevention zone until the end of May has been made following a recent veterinary risk assessment which concluded that there is still a risk of avian influenza to poultry through direct or indirect contact with wild birds, although the risk has decreased.
“I would continue therefore to strongly encourage all bird keepers to maintain compliance with the additional biosecurity mitigation measures previously introduced on 17 March 2017. The main critical control points remain prevention of fomite spread into poultry premises and stopping direct and indirect contact between wild birds and domestic poultry.”
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. He added: “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.”
It is important that all bird keepers register their flocks. This ensures that they receive the latest information from the Department and also allows them to be contacted in an avian disease outbreak situation thereby enabling them to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity. Download a a bird registation form.
The declaration of the new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone as well as further guidance and answers to frequently asked questions are available now on the Department’s website.
Expert advice remains that the threat to public health from the virus is very low and consumers should not be concerned about eating eggs or poultry.
From 1 May, a phased approach to gatherings will be introduced which will allow shows to commence, initially with single demonstration flocks with the intention of allowing shows from the end of May subject to there being no further avian influenza suspects or outbreaks. Gatherings of pigeons, aviary birds and birds of prey can continue to take place. The conditions of the general licence for gatherings remain in place.
However, there continues to be a ban on gatherings (livestock fairs, auctions, shows or other events) of some species of birds until the end of May 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.
However, if you take your birds to permitted shows in Great Britain, they can only return to Northern Ireland with a specific import licence and compliance with the requirements of such licence.
Pigeon racing from Great Britain is now permitted.
Enhanced trade requirements requiring specific licensing arrangements, introduced on 19 December 2016, remain in place until the Prevention Zone is lifted.
Keep a close watch on the health of your birds.
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. DAERA Direct Regional offices details are available on the DAERA website.
- All poultry and other birds must be registered with DAERA. The application form is available on the DAERA website.
- More information about Avian Influenza - including biosecurity guidance - is available from the DAERA website.
- An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was first declared in Northern Ireland on 23 December 2016 and then renewed on 20 January 2017 and again on 17 March 2017. The current zone expires at 11:59 on 30 April 2017, after which the zone declared today (27 April) 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 9.00am to 5.00pm).
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- All media enquiries to DAERA Press Office or telephone: 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.
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