Stormont’s agriculture division has refused to say if it has the facility to implement stringent measures to manage hen flu within the absence of an Government.
n Tuesday, the Belfast Telegraph reported that two sources had been advised contradictory issues by a senior Division of Agriculture, Setting and Rural Affairs (DAERA) official – one being advised that the absence of ministers was an issue, and the opposite advised that it made no distinction.
The following escalation of measures to fight the virulent H5NI avian flu can be to concern a compulsory housing order, requiring all house owners of captive birds to maintain them indoors.
Even that may not cease unfold of the virus, provided that it’s widespread within the wild the place hundreds of thousands of birds could possibly be contaminated. Nevertheless, shutting poultry and out of doors pet birds indoors would scale back the chance of them catching the virus from wild animals after which spreading it to people who might inadvertently unfold it to business flocks the place tens of 1000’s of birds are packed right into a single huge shed.
More and more, DAERA has grow to be Stormont’s most closed division, refusing to reply to some media queries for days or perhaps weeks.
A day and a half after the division was first requested two easy questions in regards to the concern – do you might have the powers, and if you happen to don’t will you ask Westminster to offer them to you – and after a number of reminders from this newspaper, the division ultimately responded. Nevertheless, that response didn’t reply both query.
As an alternative, it stated that the division’s scientific evaluation was that extra stringent measures usually are not wanted in Northern Eire, regardless that on Monday they have been applied within the Irish Republic and in England.
Poultry is much extra vital to Northern Eire’s economic system than to another a part of the British Isles, which means {that a} severe outbreak of a illness which is changing into an rising drawback could possibly be economically devastating. To date, there was only one confirmed case of hen flu in captive birds – though it’s recognized to be widespread within the wild.
DAERA stated: “The introduction of any measures to mitigate towards a illness incursion should by legislation, learn by a veterinary threat evaluation.
“Given the present illness state of affairs right here, the place there was just one avian influenza detection in captive birds this season, and a comparatively small variety of constructive wild birds, the Division’s present evaluation stays that the purpose has not but been reached at which necessary housing measures are required.
“Clearly although it is a state of affairs that we’re retaining below shut and cautious assessment. We’re additionally retaining in contact with stakeholders and trade in order that they will perceive the epidemiological and scientific foundation that underpins our decision-making.
“Indisputably, the only most necessary step that may be taken by all hen keepers, is to make use of the absolute best biosecurity to stop an incursion. For hints and tips about bettering your biosecurity, please go to https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/biosecurity-checklist-and-biosecurity-guidance.”
We once more requested DAERA if it had the facility to take the choice. On the time of going to press, it had not responded.