DARD examine bird flu measures in province

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) recently met with key figures in the poultry industry and other interested parties to discuss the current Avian Influenza position.

Representatives of producer associations, poultry companies, wild bird conservation organisations, retailers and bird fancier societies discussed issues surrounding the current assessment of the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza being found in Northern Ireland.

Measures which it might be necessary to take in the event of an outbreak, the continued need for high levels of biosecurity and the scope for vaccination as a control measure were examined.

A DARD spokesperson said: "We have had close contact with stakeholders ever since avian flu began to spread from South East Asia and these meetings were a continuation of that process.

"The meetings were an opportunity to bring everyone up-to-date on the developing situation and we had a very constructive exchange of views on a range of avian influenza issues.

"We explained current thinking on the possible need to require all poultry to be kept indoors and stakeholders agreed that at this stage it was not necessary to require the housing of birds.

"The stakeholders also agreed with DARD's assessment that it was not feasible to apply vaccination as a disease control measure in Northern Ireland at this time."

A number of issues raised at the meeting required clarification and DARD officials agreed to provide comment on these as soon as possible.

The DARD spokesperson emphasised the need for all keepers of birds to be vigilant, to maintain high standards of biosecurity, to contact their veterinary practitioner if they detected signs of disease in their birds, and to report unusual mortalities of wild birds to DARD via the DARD Helpline on 028 9052 4999.

"DARD has distributed to bird keepers, including those who keep small numbers of birds and hobby keepers, guidance on biosecurity and methods of separating birds from wild birds.

"This guidance is also available on our website. High standards of biosecurity are a vital means of preventing the possible spread of disease to domestic birds if it should occur in wild birds in Northern Ireland."

The DARD has reminded all keepers of birds, other than domestic pets kept in the owner's home, that it is a legal requirement to register with the Department. Anyone who is not yet registered should do so as soon as possible.

(SP)