Bird flu biosecurity measures are to be lifted in the Republic and Northern Ireland from May 31, government departments, north and south, confirmed today (Tuesday, May 27) .
Biosecurity regulations for poultry, which had been introduced last December in the Republic, are to be lifted from May 31, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said.
Meanwhile the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister, Andrew Muir, also confirmed that in Northern Ireland both the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and a ban on poultry gatherings will also be lifted from noon May 31.
Bird flu
According to Minister Heydon, “the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in our poultry is lower” in summer months than it was over the colder winter months.
“It is appropriate now to lift the regulations which had made strict biosecurity measures compulsory to protect Irish poultry.
“These biosecurity actions are still best practice and I strongly advise anyone with poultry, whether a large farm or a few backyard hens, to continue to implement them,” the minister added.
He also warned that “there is still a risk, and avian influenza is expected to remain a threat to the Irish poultry sector throughout the year”.
Minister Heydon added: “Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks, and must be practised year-round.
“I want to praise the huge efforts which have been made across the poultry sector to protect our poultry industry from avian influenza and the serious consequences of an outbreak”.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has continued to stress that members of the public should not handle sick or dead wild birds and also report any incidences of sick or dead wild birds to their regional veterinary office or via the Avian Check App or the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026
Northern Ireland
Meanwhile, DAERA said that compulsory biosecurity measures had previously been introduced in Northern Ireland “to address the risk posed by avian influenza to the poultry sector”.
According to Minister Muir, the lifting of these measures is a welcome step.
“I want to thank all flock keepers for their vigilance and adherence to good biosecurity measures. This has undoubtedly limited the spread of this disease in NI over the recent months.
“Thanks to the determined efforts from the poultry sector in Northern Ireland to protect their flocks and minimise the impact of disease, we are now in a position to lift the AIPZ and reduce all mandatory restrictions placed on bird keepers,” he added.
However Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer, Brian Dooher said while the measures of the AIPZ are no longer a legal requirement, “the need for stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures are still of paramount importance to help prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to poultry”.
“Any future bird gatherings should also meet the conditions of a general licence and notify the department in advance.
“It is imperative that we don’t get complacent. The risk of an avian influenza incursion to poultry is still present, albeit lower than before.
Lower risk does not mean no risk,” Dooher added.
