Keepers of poultry and birds across Nottinghamshire will now need to follow strict biosecurity measures following the announcement of an Avian Influenza Protection Zone (APIZ).
The protection zone applies whether birds are kept commercially or as pets and is a legal requirement to protect against avian flu.
The AIPZ means bird keepers across Great Britain must:
– Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds).
– Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
– Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;
– Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas
– Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
– Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
– Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
As part of the measures, keepers of more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites and workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.
Site vehicles will also need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
Those with a small number of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese must also take steps to limit the risk of disease spreading and more information about this can be found on the GOV.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
The public are advised not to touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that they find. If anyone finds dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, they should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Bird keepers should report suspicion of disease in England to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Maintaining strict biosecurity is the most effective way of protecting birds from avian flu.
“I’d like to appeal to all bird keepers in Nottinghamshire, whether you keep just a few birds or a few thousand, you are legally required to meet these new measures to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.
“I cannot stress enough that if you see a dead bird, please do not touch them and instead contact the DEFRA helpline on the number listed above.
“I’d like to reassure residents that these are preventative measures and there is no immediate risk to human health.”
