Bird flu warning: Advice out for West Sussex farmers
Several outbreaks have been reported around the UK in recent days
West Sussex poultry and captive bird keepers are being urged to take precautions against bird flu.
A number of outbreaks have been confirmed in both wild birds and domestic flocks in different parts of the UK in recent days.
Although no cases have been confirmed in the county or any surrounding counties, West Sussex is seen as a high-risk area due to the number of estuaries and wetlands used by migrating birds.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has put in place compulsory restrictions for poultry keepers and owners of captive birds (including gamebirds or pet birds) across the whole of England.
West Sussex Trading Standards Team Manager Peter Aston has re-iterated the advice given previously:
"Although the current outbreaks are not in West Sussex nor neighbouring counties, it is important that poultry keepers in particular take sensible steps to stop domestic birds mixing with wild ones.
This includes, where practical to do so, not leaving food accessible to wild birds and netting runs.
"For the sake of the commercial poultry and egg producers in the county, we really want to keep cases out of the farmed and domestic poultry premises. Sensible steps taken now can help achieve this."
Deborah Urquart, West Sussex County Council's Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:
""The disease almost always spreads from the migrating wild bird population and taking relatively small precautions now could have a major impact on stopping the virus entering the domestic poultry population."
More information about bird flu can be found on the GOV.UK website.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report this to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Poultry keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.