In the statement made by the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, it was announced that all poultry and caged birds in the country should be kept indoors from November 7, in accordance with the new restrictions as part of the fight against the epidemic.
The statement comes after avian flu was detected in numerous farms and wild birds across the country.
‘WE ARE FACING THE BIGGEST BIRD FLU EPIDEMIC EVER’
Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer for the UK, said: “We are currently facing the biggest bird flu epidemic ever this year.” made its assessment.
Middlemiss said the decision to keep poultry and birds indoors under the new restrictions is “the best way to protect animals from the highly contagious bird flu”.
The British Poultry Council has warned that customers who want to buy turkey, especially during the Christmas period, may be affected by price increases due to the bird flu epidemic facing the country.
Around 5.5 million birds have died or been culled in the UK since October 2021, of which 2.3 million this month.
While 80 cases of bird flu were detected in the country this month, more than 210 cases of bird flu have been confirmed since October 2021.
A ‘ PREVENTION ZONE’ WAS ANNOUNCED
A “Bird Flu Prevention Zone” was declared across the country on 18 October to reduce the risk following an increase in bird flu cases in wild birds and commercial facilities in England.
With the announcement, it was stated that it would be a legal obligation for all bird and poultry keepers in the country to take strict biosecurity measures to protect their animals from the threat of bird flu. (AA)