The action started late last year after avian flu was found in several areas of the UK, although the risk to human health remains low.
Compulsory poultry and bird housing measures are due to be lifted later this month, veterinarians from England, Scotland and Wales announced today.
The housing measures were launched across the UK in December as one of several measures to contain the spread of measures Bird fluor avian flu found on pheasants in Wales earlier this year.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government have worked closely with industry and bird keepers to ensure that strict biosecurity measures are in place in and around poultry farms to ensure flock safety .
According to the Welsh Government, the measures taken have been successful in containing the disease and, provided there are no new significant cases by the end of March, the current measures will be relaxed. The last confirmed case in poultry in the UK was over a month ago on February 12 in Scotland.
While the risk of avian flu has been reduced to medium, the Welsh authorities believe that the risk of an outbreak is likely to persist for several weeks. As a result, the increased biosecurity requirements that were introduced on November 11 as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) remain in place. Good biosecurity is the most effective measure available for disease control.
While it is important to ensure effective biosecurity when there is an increased risk of avian flu, it is recommended that poultry farmers apply improved biosecurity measures at all times to prevent and mitigate future outbreaks.
Bird watchers are advised to use the next two weeks to prepare the areas and outside areas for the birds to be released. This includes cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces, fencing ponds or standing water, and reintroducing wild bird repellants.
According to the Welsh Government, if the birds are allowed to disembark in late March, all poultry and active bird keepers must take additional precautions, such as: B. Washer-disinfectors, clothing and vehicles to restrict access to non-essential items, people on their sites and workers who change clothes and shoes before entering the aviary.
According to public health recommendations, the risk to human health from the H5N8 virus strain is low and the risk from the H5N2, H5N5 and H5N1 virus strains is very low. Food standards indicate that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers and does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs.
„This is welcome news for poultry farmers across the country who have made great efforts to protect their flocks this winter,” the three UK veterinarians said in a joint statement.
“We have taken swift action to contain and eradicate this disease and all bird keepers – whether they have few birds or thousands – must continue to do their part to maintain strict biosecurity measures on their premises so that we do not lose the progress that is being made we’ve been doing for the past few months because low risk means no risk. „
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