Bird gatherings ban relaxed in Wales

The ban on gatherings of Galliforme birds resembling pheasants, chickens and turkeys has been lifted in Wales, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Richard Irvine has introduced.

In November 2021, within the face of Great Britain’s largest outbreak of Avian Influenza, a ban on poultry gatherings was launched to assist stop the unfold of the illness and shield 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.

Risk ranges

However, the danger ranges are nonetheless thought of to be too excessive for gatherings of Anseriforme birds resembling geese, geese and swans, which can stay prohibited.

From at the moment, Galliforme chicken keepers arranging a good, market, present, exhibition or different gatherings shall be required to observe and meet all necessities of a basic licence.

Details can discovered on the Welsh Government web site at www.gov.wales/bird-gatherings-general-licence-gatherings and www.gov.wales/bird-gatherings-general-licence-poultry.

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Richard Irvine stated: “Poultry keepers have labored arduous to guard their birds from the dangers of avian influenza by implementing robust biosecurity and different measures, and I need to thank them once more for all they’ve carried out.

“I am pleased we are now able to allow gatherings of Galliforme birds to resume. This is a welcome development, enabled by the support and cooperation of the poultry sector.”

Mitigation measures

“This means, from at the moment, gatherings of all forms of birds, besides Anseriforme birds, shall be permitted throughout Wales, supplied keepers observe and meet all the necessities of the overall licence.

“This doesn’t imply the danger of avian influenza has disappeared. Scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity are important to guard flocks from the specter of illness, and it’s important chicken 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.”