Contact newsdesk on:  info@hebridesnews.co.uk

Classified adverts   I   Jobs                               

Small Ads & Local Services    

 

Hebrides News

 

A ban stopping all poultry and captive birds roaming outdoors has been declared in a bid to reduce the risk from a deadly bird flu strain .

The legal measures aims to keep chickens away from wild birds to reduce their risk of being infected by migratory wildfowl and gulls.

Waves of the “highly pathogenic” H5N8 strain have been found in birds across Europe including France, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Holland, and Croatia. The virus has also swept across Africa and Asia.

Outbreaks of the disease in commercial farms on the continent resulted in producers slaughtering their flocks.

There have been no cases of the strain detected in the UK.

As a precaution, poultry keepers in all parts of Scotland are instructed to keep their flocks contained during the 30-day restrictions. A zone has also been declared in England.

Food Standards Scotland said there is no present bird flu public health risk from eating eggs or poultry.

Bird keepers are legally obliged to take all practicable steps to ensure that poultry and other captive birds kept separate from wild birds - in most cases this will be by keeping birds housed.

Rural Economy cabinet secretary, Fergus Ewing, said: “We have declared a 30-day Prevention Zone as a precautionary measure to protect Scotland’s valuable poultry industry, particularly in the weeks before Christmas.

“The Scottish Government and its partners continue to monitor the situation in Europe closely and stand ready to respond to any suspicion of disease in Scotland.

“Any bird keepers who have concerns should immediately seek veterinary advice.”

Scotland’s chief veterinary officer, Sheila Voas, said: “Keeping birds indoors helps to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus, provided that poultry keepers maintain good biosecurity on their premises and remain vigilant for any signs of disease.

“Consumers should not be concerned about eating eggs or poultry given the expert advice about food safety and human health.”

She added: “The risk of an HPAI incursion into poultry in the UK remains at ‘low, but heightened,’ although for wild birds the risk has been raised to ‘medium.’

“It is normal to see these viruses circulating among wild bird populations at this time of year, however the strain seen in Europe appears to be particularly virulent which is a cause for some concern.”

Ian McWatt, operations’ director at Food Standards Scotland (FSS) said: “At present there is no public health risk from the consumption of eggs or poultry in relation to avian influenza.

“In order to keep birds safe from the virus, FSS would like to reiterate that extra caution should be taken during this period.”

Hens banned from roaming on crofts under emergency bird flu measures

6 December 2016