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Government to consult on bird keeper registration rules
Rules would apply to keepers of birds of prey and pigeons, but not to parrots or budgies housed entirely indoors.
The proposal would require all keepers to register their birds.

As part of government measures to combat avian influenza, Defra has launched a consultation on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain.

The proposed rules would require all poultry keepers to register their birds, regardless of how many they have. Currently, only those who keep 50 or more are legally required to register their birds.

The rules would apply to keepers of backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeons, but not parrots or budgies housed entirely indoors.

Registered information would need to be to be updated on an annual basis.

Registration with APHA will ensure that keepers receive important updates regarding local avian influenza outbreaks, and information on biosecurity rules. It will also allow the government to quickly communicate measures to help manage and limit the spread of disease.

In a joint statement the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales said: “These proposals will enable us to have a full picture of the number and location of birds kept across Great Britain and make it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease.

“This information will also help inform future risk assessments and maintain our commitment to continually building our extensive avian influenza research portfolio.”

Richard Griffiths, British Poultry Council chief executive said: “We welcome this consultation as a means of ensuring the GB poultry register is fit to support Government and industry efforts in mitigating the ongoing impacts of avian influenza.

“Registering your poultry is an effective way of monitoring and controlling the spread of disease to protect the national flock.

“We, as ever, urge all poultry keepers to remain vigilant for signs of avian influenza in their birds.”

The GB-wide consultation is open until 31 May.

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.