Poultry to be registered in bid to tackle bird flu

The government has urged poultry owners to start registering their flocks as part of a scheme to help the industry deal with a possible outbreak of avian flu.

Poultry owners with flocks of 50 or more birds will have to register them with Defra by February 28 next year.

Currently, premises that keep fewer than 50 birds are not required to register, although they can voluntarily register their birds after February 28, if they wish.

The database will collect information from England, Scotland and Wales, while Northern Ireland will have a separate register.

Commenting on the scheme, Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said: “Currently no central database of poultry flocks exists. The aim of the register is to gather essential information about birds on commercial premises across Great Britain so we can build up a better picture of the size, type and proximity of flocks.

Mr Bradshaw added: “This should be seen as an essential disease prevention measure. The information on this register will help us improve our contingency planning to help manage any potential disease outbreaks.”

Both the National Gamekeepers Organisation and the National Farmer’s Union Poultry Board have welcomed the scheme. Charles Bournes, chairman of the NFU’s Poultry Board, said: “This register will enhance already existing contingency measures and it has our full support. Commercial poultry keepers must register their birds at the earliest possible time to ensure our valuable industry is best placed to deal with any potential disease outbreak.”

The requirement does not apply to premises where poultry and their eggs are kept by their owners for their own consumption, or as pets.

The full list of species that needs to be registered are: chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, partridges, pheasants, quail, pigeons reared for meat only, cassowaries, emus, ostriches, rheas and kiwis.

(KMcA/SP)