Click right here to enroll to our free newsletters!
The Scottish Government has confirmed it should think about safeguards together with protecting birds indoors within the run as much as Christmas if a surge of Avian flu outbreaks proceed throughout Aberdeenshire and the north of Scotland.
In parliament, surroundings minister Gillian Martin stated the scenario was “extremely serious” and that “mandatory biosecurity measures” could also be wanted if circumstances proceed to rise after a query from North East MSP Tess White.
The Scottish Conservative voiced her considerations as 5 outbreaks have been detected in Aberdeenshire since July.
At Holyrood, she spoke of how the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) had been “very worried” concerning the escalating scenario and would assist housing orders being launched for industrial flocks.
It comes after 23,500 birds on a farm close to Peterhead had been affected by the illness, killing 1500 earlier this month.
Protection and surveillance zones have additionally been arrange in Lochcarron, the Highlands, close to Tingwall in Shetland and at 4 places on the Isle of Lewis.
In her query to Environment Minister Gillian Martin, Ms White requested: “There have been five outbreaks of avian flu in Aberdeenshire since July and earlier this month, 1500 birds were killed near Peterhead. It’s no wonder NFU Scotland has described the situation as very worrying and that it remains a serious concern.
“Will the Cabinet Secretary reassure poultry farmers that all safeguards against avian flu will be considered by the Scottish Government ahead of the festive period, including housing orders for commercial stocks.”
In her response, Ms Martin stated: “I would like to thank Tess White for her interest in this area. It is extremely serious and the risk to wild birds and to poultry is constantly monitored and assessed by scientific and technical experts and reviewed on a weekly basis.
“Biosecurity will be particularly important as the uncertainty rises as we enter the winter period – Tess White is absolutely right on that.
“If the risk to poultry from wild birds increases to certain levels, Scottish ministers may consider the introduction of mandatory biosecurity measures to the declaration of an avian influenza prevention zone.”
Afterwards, Ms White stated: “These cases are causing devastation to our poultry farmers in the North East and across the rest of Scotland and I welcome the clarity provided by Gillian Martin following my concerns.
“Many businesses are dependent on the Christmas market but face the prospect of losing everything if an outbreak of avian flu occurs.
“It’s vital the Scottish Government prepares robust safeguards to prevent a repeat of the hardship faced last year by poultry farmers as a result of avian flu.”
