Avian influenza update

So far there have been at least eight recorded outbreaks of the highly pathological strain of avian influenza H5N1 in the UK in the last three weeks. But in the last couple of days my phone has been pinging with text message updates from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with increased frequency. A week or so ago Great Britain was declared a 'Prevention Zone' meaning strict bio-security precautions should be put in place by everyone who keeps captive birds, whether commercial premises or in your back yard. Where there have been outbreaks the source premises have had to have all their birds culled. Obviously a massive concern for commercial producers. Surrounding premises within a 3k and 10k radius also have very stringent restrictions imposed.

Its early days yet and we can expect more, perhaps quite a few more, outbreaks as we head further into the winter. The likelihood, if this is the case, is that there will be a requirement to keep all birds housed. We have contingency plans for this eventuality.

There is a particular problem for businesses which market their poultry meat or their eggs as 'free range', which of course attracts a premium price. The definition of 'free range' is in practice somewhat limited (even more so under US regulations) and might surprise those who deliberately seek out free range poultry and eggs for animal welfare reasons. But that is another story. Last year, under avian influenza requirements, if birds were housed for up to 16 weeks businesses could still label their eggs free range. Beyond 16 weeks they had to be designated 'barn raised'. This 16 week period might be the determining factor as to when to declare a housing order, and indeed when it is lifted. Bear in mind that the migratory season for wild birds, which are largely responsible for spreading the virus, is generally around March when it might be possible to lift restrictions. I think it was mid-February last time.

We will have to wait and see what transpires and what any future requirements might be. As for today, all our poultry were indoors and shut up at 16:42.