Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Avian flu restrictions eased in Wales
“Scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity are essential to protect flocks from the threat of disease” –Richard Irvine.
Gatherings of poultry are now permitted.

Gatherings of galliformes, including chickens, turkeys and pheasants, are longer prohibited in Wales, the country’s chief veterinary officer has announced.

The restriction, which had been introduced in November 2021 to help contain the spread of avian influenza, have been lifted as of 16 February 2024. Galliformes from premises in Wales are also now allowed to attend gatherings in England.

Anyone organising a gathering, such as a bird fair, market, or show, will have to meet the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence. They will also have to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least seven days before the event.

Owing to the continuing risk to water fowl, gatherings of anseriformes, such as ducks, geese, and swans, will remain banned. Bird keepers are also being urged to maintain high biosecurity standards.

Richard Irvine, chief veterinary officer for Wales, said: “Scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity are essential to protect flocks from the threat of disease, and it is important bird keepers continue to complete the biosecurity self-assessment checklist.

“All of our mitigation measures, including restrictions on bird gatherings, are kept under constant review, to help ensure the national flock is protected.”

No premises in Wales have been found to be infected with avian flu since April 2023. However, the virus is continuing to spread among wild birds, with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recently warning about the impact the disease is having on Welsh seabirds.

Suspected cases of avian influenza should be reported to APHA on 0300 303 8268.

Image © Welsh Government

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.