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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 31st October 2022
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Poultry housing order announced across England
The housing order comes into force at midnight on Monday, 7 November.
Measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their flocks indoors.

Captive birds and poultry in England must be kept inside from next week, regardless of type or size, the UK government has announced.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said the decision “has not been taken lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

The order comes into force at midnight on Monday, 7 November, under which bird keepers must keep their birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flocks from the disease.

It extends the mandatory housing measures already in force across parts of East Anglia following an increase in the national risk of avian flu in wild birds to “very high”.

Since October 2021, the UK has seen more than 200 confirmed cases of avian influenza - the largest-ever outbreak of the disease. The introduction of the housing measures comes after cases were confirmed at more than 70 premises in the past month alone, and multiple reports in wild birds.

Ms Middlemiss is now urging all bird keepers across England to use the coming days to prepare, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet and expand housing where necessary. 

"We are now facing this year, the largest-ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England. The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice," she said.

"Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways, from wild birds remain the best form of defence. Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from Monday 7 November onwards, you must keep your indoors. This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
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Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.