Birds to be kept indoors in Wales to tackle 'heightened risk' of avian flu
The Welsh Government is to introduce new measures
Last updated 26th Nov 2022
All poultry and captive birds in Wales will have to be kept indoors, or separated from wild birds, amid a 'heightened risk' of avian flu.
The Welsh Government has said the new biosecurity and housing requirements are necessary to get ahead of a possible increased level of infection going into the winter.
The new measures will come into force in Wales on Friday, 2nd December.
From this date, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separated from wild birds.
Keepers will also have to complete and act upon a bespoke biosecurity review of the premises where birds are kept. This is to minimise the risk of virus entry in bird houses, which usually results in high mortality.
The new measures are in addition to those in the Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.
Interim Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Gavin Watkins, is encouraging bird keepers to prepare for the introduction of the new measures, by making sure housing is suitable, with the housed environment enhanced to protect bird welfare.
Dr Watkins said: “The latest data suggests a westward spread of avian influenza to Wales in the coming months, and increased risk of birds being infected outside, through increased viral survival times and a possible further spread in the range of wild birds carrying the virus.
"Having assessed the evidence, we are taking further preventative action to help protect poultry and kept birds.
"The biosecurity and housing measures we are introducing in Wales will provide additional protection for birds and resilience for our poultry sector. We will continue to keep the situation under constant review.
“I want to thank all keepers for the steps they have taken to keep birds in Wales safe from this devastating disease, steps which we know have protected birds.. The additional measures announced today will build on that effort. If implemented rigorously, our birds will be protected.”
The news comes after NFU Cymru wrote to Welsh Government requesting that mandatory housing measures be urgently introduced.
NFU Cymru Poultry Board Chairman Richard Williams said: “Following the NFU Cymru Poultry Conference on Monday 21st November, NFU Cymru wrote to the Minister for Rural Affairs to ask that Welsh Government urgently introduce mandatory housing measures to help reduce the risk of the virus causing further devastation to our poultry flocks.
"I am pleased that Welsh Government has listened to our concerns and our sincere hope is that these housing measures, alongside the existing and additional biosecurity requirements that we are undertaking, will help minimise the impact of Avian Influenza on the Welsh poultry sector.
“These measures apply to all poultry keepers, whether you have one hen in the garden or a large poultry business, and I urge everyone to remain vigilant.
“This is a really challenging time for the Welsh poultry sector, but producers are doing all they can to protect their birds and to maintain production of healthy, nutritious and affordable poultry meat and eggs for our consumers to enjoy.”