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Posted: Fri sixteenth Feb 2024
The ban on gatherings of Galliforme birds equivalent to pheasants, chickens and turkeys has been lifted in Wales.
In November 2021, within the face of Great Britain’s largest outbreak of Avian Influenza, a ban on poultry gatherings was launched in a bid to stop the unfold of the illness and defend flocks.
After greater than two years of not permitting gatherings, the second a part of 2023 introduced a change within the illness image, with fewer Infected Premises and findings in wild birds.
There have been no Infected Premises in Wales since April 2023.
However, the chance ranges are nonetheless thought-about to be too excessive for gatherings of Anseriforme birds equivalent to geese, geese and swans, which can stay prohibited.
From immediately, Galliforme hen keepers arranging a good, market, present, exhibition or different gatherings will likely be required to observe and meet all necessities of a normal licence.
Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Richard Irvine mentioned: “Poultry keepers have labored exhausting to guard their birds from the dangers of avian influenza by implementing sturdy biosecurity and different measures, and I need to thank them once more for all they’ve carried out.
“I’m happy we at the moment are capable of enable gatherings of Galliforme birds to renew. This is a welcome growth, enabled by the help and cooperation of the poultry sector.
“This means, from immediately, gatherings of all kinds of birds, besides Anseriforme birds, will likely be permitted throughout Wales, supplied keepers observe and meet all the necessities of the final licence.
“This doesn’t imply the chance of avian influenza has disappeared. Scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity are important to guard flocks from the specter of illness, and it’s important hen keepers proceed to finish the biosecurity self-assessment guidelines.
“All of our mitigation measures, including restrictions on bird gatherings, are kept under constant review, to help ensure the national flock is protected.”
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