The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a series of webinars to inform bird keepers and veterinarians of the latest updates and biosecurity advice regarding avian influenza (bird flu).

The free ‘Stop the spread’ webinars will be hosted by leading Defra epidemiologists and veterinary professionals.

These experts will cover the latest information on the national situation and the high number of cases in the North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire areas, as well as essential biosecurity measures that all keepers should be taking.

There will also been an opportunity for questions and answers about biosecurity best practice.

The webinars, held via Microsoft Teams, will be broken down into three groups -smallholder and hobbyist bird keepers, commercial producers and veterinarians – to ensure the most accurate and relevant advice can be given.

The webinar dates for each of the groups are below.

Smallholder and hobbyist

  • December 17, 2021, midday to 1:00p.m;
  • December 17, 2021, 5:00p.m to 6:00p.m;
  • December 21, 2021, midday to 1:00p.m;
  • December 21, 2021, 5:00p.m to 6:00p.m.

Commercial producers

  • December 16, 2021, midday to 1:00p.m;
  • December 16, 2021, 5:00p.m to 6:00p.m;
  • December 20, 2021, midday to 1:00p.m;
  • December 20, 2021, 5:00p.m to 6:00p.m.

Veterinarians

  • December 22, 2021, midday to 1:00p.m;
  • December 22, 2021, 5:00p.m to 6:00p.m.

Registration can be done online and the department asks that attendees join their chosen webinar five minutes before the start time.