The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have announced that updates have been made to the mandatory biosecurity measures for bird flu.
According to Defra, the update applies to all game birds (wild birds hunted for sport and/or food).
This comes due to a recent increase in avian influenza (bird flu) cases in game birds, particularly in coastal counties.
Defra have updated the avian influenza prevention zone in place across Britain with mandatory biosecurity measures to include additional biosecurity procedures for England.
Game bird rearers and shoot operators will now be required to cleanse and disinfect vehicles and footwear upon first entry to the site and each day they are in use.
Members of the public with game birds will also be required to collect and report dead birds found in the vicinity of release pens to Defra.
The rearers and shooters must also incorporate measures to prevent wild birds accessing feeders and drinkers.
Defra confirmed that these extra measures will come into force from Tuesday, August 26.
Additional biosecurity
The department is reminding anyone who is involved in game birds to remember the current biosecurity procedures in place.
Any game bird farmers, managers of shoots, game bird keepers and anyone involved in rearing, releasing, or shooting game birds across the rest of Britain must follow the minimum biosecurity measures posted on Defra.
Those located in England must follow the minimum biosecurity measures as well as these specific measures. as well as these specific measures.
According to the updated measures for gamebird keepers, game birds must be provided with one feeding station per 60 released game birds. These stations need to be cleaned daily, removing faecal matter, feathers and spilled feed.Â
Feed and water stations are required to be covered when possible to prevent contamination from wild bird droppings, with owner advised to move feed stations regularly.
Defra also require game birds to be fed at least 50m away from water bodies frequented by ducks and other wildfowl, as well as 500m away from any other poultry or captive birds.
Anybody working with the birds is required to disinfect their footwear on entry and exit to the birds’ pen.
People involved with the birds must regularly check them for signs of bird flu, as well as searching a 50m radius daily for dead game birds or wild birds.
If the individual checking the area comes across a dead bird, they must report it to Defra and dispose of the carcasses properly.
This means removing the animal as soon as possible by an approved transporter to a knackery, incinerator, or other suitable location.
Defra urged people to remember they are not allowed to bury fallen stock on their land or feed it to other animals.
Keepers of game birds must also keep detailed records of all visitors and movement on the site, including staff and deliveries.
