New legal requirements introduced following bird flu outbreak on Lewis

Bird keepers must implement strict biosecurity measures to stop avian flu spreading, the government has announced.

 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) introduced the legal requirement on Monday October 17 in the midst of the UK's largest bird flu outbreak and just five days after confirmation of an outbreak on the Isle of Lewis which saw 350 commercial birds culled.

 

The confirmation of the Lewis case of HPAI H5N1 is the first in Scotland in the current 2022/2023 avian influenza season which started on October 1. Since then there have been 32 confirmed Infected Premises (IP) within the UK: one in Scotland and 31 in England. Scotland had 11 outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 during the 2021/2022 season.

 

The Lewis outbreak was confirmed by the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Scotland on October 12.

 

As a result, the Scottish Government has activated its contingency plans to control and

 

eradicate the disease. A veterinary investigation will be carried out to establish the source and the potential spread.

 

Scottish Ministers have declared the Lewis location as an IP and implemented a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone in accordance with the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006.

 

Within the zones, a range of controls are in place, including restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure.

 

The infected premises is a small commercial layer flock of approximately 350 birds in total. A high number of birds at the premises had succumbed to the virus and the CVO decided to cull the remaining birds on suspicion of HPAI to minimise the impact to the bird welfare. The remaining birds at the premises were humanely euthanised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

 

The owner of the premises has been kept informed and is receiving support and guidance from APHA officials.

 

New requirements state that keepers with more than 500 birds need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites. Workers need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles need to be disinfected.

 

Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry must also take steps.

 

Chief veterinary officers from Scotland, England and Wales, declaring an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, have not yet asked all bird owners to bring their animals inside.

 

For more advice visit www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza.

 

Report dead wild birds to Defra on 03459 335577.