LEICESTER City Council’s trading standards service is urging bird keepers across Leicester to take action as new measures have come into force to help prevent the spread of avian influenza.
An avian influenza prevention zone, with mandatory bird housing measures, is now in force across the whole of England.
This means that anyone who keeps more than 50 birds of any species, or any number of birds for the purpose of selling of giving away eggs, must keep their birds indoors.
Anyone who keeps small backyard flocks will not need to house their birds on the condition that the eggs are for their own use only and will not be sold or given away.
The order follows a rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and poultry across England. Housing birds indoors reduces the risk of contact with infected wild birds and helps contain the spread of the disease.
Trading standards officers will be working with local partners to ensure compliance and provide help and advice to affected bird keepers.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, who leads on regulatory services, licensing and enforcement, said: “With an avian influenza prevention zone now declared across the whole country, it’s important that people who keep birds at home comply with these measures that help stop the virus from spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.”
The regulations mean that poultry keepers must:
- House or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds
- Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
- Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
- Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a regular basis
- Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
- Prevent access to poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas
People are being warned not to touch or pick up any dead or sick birds they find. Anyone who finds dead swans, geese, ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, should report them to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77
Bird keepers should report suspicion of disease in captive birds to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301
More information and guidance is available at www.gov.uk/bird-flu or contact Leicester City Council trading standards via the council’s website.