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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th October 2022
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Poultry housing order declared in East Anglia
Poultry keepers are encouraged to use the upcoming days to prepare for the new housing measures.
The move follows an increase of avian influenza cases in the region.

New housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex will come into force on Wednesday (12 October), making it a legal requirement for all bird keepers in these hotspots to keep their flocks indoor.

The move follows a decision by the UK's chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss, following an increase in avian influenza cases in the region. Since the start of September, the disease has been identified at 16 premises in the affected areas, as well as in wild birds.

Dr Middlemiss urges all bird keepers in the affected regions to use the upcoming days to prepare for the housing measures, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet and expand housing where necessary.

She said: “We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and expect the risk to continue rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK.

“We are now taking further action to help protect flocks from this highly infectious and devastating disease. Keepers in these hotspots must continue to follow strict biosecurity standards to protect their flock, and should use the next few days to prepare and move their birds indoors.”

The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures introduced as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) last month, covering Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex

It comes as the UK continues to face its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza. Since last October, more than 160 cases of the virus have been identified. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.