Please read the below mail regarding the latest on Avian Influenza
Colleagues
Following discussion at our meeting last week, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will be declared for all poultry and captive birds across Northern Ireland (NI) from 00.01 hrs on 17 November 2021. See link to the DAERA Press Release issued on Sunday for further details.
The introduction of an AIPZ in NI is a precautionary step and follows multiple detections of (HPAI) H5N1 in wild birds, poultry, and captive birds across Great Britain (GB) in recent weeks along with wild bird confirmations in the Republic of Ireland (RoI).
The AIPZ places a legal requirement on all bird keepers in NI to follow strict mandatory biosecurity measures. This applies if you keep pet birds, commercial flocks, or just a few birds in a backyard or hobby flock. See the AIPZ Section on the DAERA website for further details.
As part of the measures in the AIPZ, poultry gatherings will not be permitted in NI.
The bird gatherings General Licence which is currently in effect will be revoked on implementation of the AIPZ. A new General Licence for bird gatherings that are permitted will be available on the DAERA website on 17 November.
Following the completion of a Veterinary Risk Assessment (VRA) the risk of an HPAI incursion to domestic poultry in NI is now assessed as low if effective biosecurity is in place increasing to moderate if the biosecurity measures are considered inadequate.
The VRA highlighted that it was imperative the poultry industry and all keepers of birds should reinforce biosecurity arrangements including the physical separation of wild birds, particularly waterfowl and gulls, from poultry and captive birds. Excellent levels of biosecurity remain the most effective protection against an incursion of avian flu in NI, particularly over this high-risk winter period. Please continue to encourage the use of DAERA’s Biosecurity Guidance and Biosecurity Checklist.
To date, there have been 90 confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild birds across GB and confirmed cases in wild birds across four locations in the RoI where similar measures are being introduced on 17 November.
There have also now been seven confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in captive birds and poultry in different locations in GB – five in England, one in Scotland, and one in Wales. Disease control zones have been put in place around each of these premises as a disease control measure. For further details see the DAERA webpage.
DAERA will continue to work closely with industry, wider stakeholders, and counterparts in GB and RoI to determine the next steps. We are also currently in the process of organising a Protect Your Flock webinar in conjunction with CAFRE, similar to that which took place last year, to heighten awareness of the importance of good biosecurity. Details will be shared once confirmed.