All bird keepers are being reminded to follow the strict measures currently in place after an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared in November last year across the whole of England to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading.
AIPZ follows a decision to raise the risk level for avian influenza in wild birds in Great Britain from ‘medium’ to ‘high’.
This means it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict measures to prevent the disease spreading to more poultry and other domestic birds.
Whether you keep just a few birds as pets or have a large commercial flock, you are now legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements.
Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
For more information on what measures are in place, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#latest-situation.
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