GWCT urges all those involved in shooting, especially those responsible for managing gamebirds and shoot owners, to be vigilant of avian influenza and any control zones implemented in their area.
There are several measures which can help to minimise the likelihood of an outbreak occurring on a shoot, with most measures aligning closely with existing best practice.
The below are measures which shoots should adopt to minimise the risk:
- Disinfecting any vehicles upon first entry to the site and each day they are in use
- Providing one feeding station per 60 released game birds
- Cleaning feeding and watering stations daily to remove faecal matter, feathers and spilled feed
- Covering feeding and, where possible, watering stations to avoid contamination from wild bird droppings
- Placed pheasants in release pens should not be fed within 50 metres of a water body frequented by ducks and other wildfowl
- Placed game birds in release pens should not be fed within 500 metres of any poultry or other kept birds
- During the open season, checking placed game birds in release pens daily for signs of avian influenza
- Conducting a daily search of the area within and up to a 50 metre radius surrounding the perimeter of release pens for carcases of dead game birds and dead wild birds
- Reporting dead wild birds to Defra using the dead wild bird reporting tool and disposing of carcases appropriately
- Keeping detailed records of all visitors to the site (including deliveries and collections)
Further Information has been published by DEFRA here: Heightened Avian Influenza Risk Warning Issued to Bird Keepers and Gamebird Rearers - GOV.UK
For GWCT advice, please email advisory@gwct.org.uk or call us on 01425 651013