The amended Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force at midnight on Thursday 13 November.
In a statement, Welsh Government said the decision was in response to the increase in confirmed cases of the disease in both kept and wild birds across Great Britain. The new measures will be in place until further notice and kept under review.
Under the updated AIPZ:
- Keepers of 50 or more birds of any species must house their birds.
- Smaller flocks must be housed if eggs/poultry products are sold or given away, due to increased risk of disease transmission through trade or exchange.
- Additional biosecurity requirements will apply to the gamebird sector. These are set out under Schedule 3 of the AIPZ
While the GWCT expects that all gamebirds will now be out of release pens, game managers should ensure compliance with these biosecurity measures wherever appropriate.
A new mandatory Biosecurity Checklist which all gamebird keepers must complete and retain on file has also been brought in. This checklist must be made available to relevant authorities on request, and any ‘No’ answers must be addressed as soon as possible to strengthen site biosecurity.
The GWCT recommends that shoots adopt the following measures to minimise the risk of an outbreak occurring – most align closely with existing best practice:
- 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)
For GWCT advice, please email advisory@gwct.org.uk or call us on 01425 651013
Useful links
Avian influenza (bird flu) | GOV.WALES
Avian influenza (bird flu): current restrictions | GOV.WALES