Housing orders are now in place in England and Wales (effective from 2nd December 2022) mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds were put in place for all areas of England to help reduce the spread of avian influenza. There are currently no housing orders in Scotland and Wales.
These measures are a legal requirement for all keepers to keep their birds indoors and follow strict Biosecurity measures to assist in protecting their flocks from the disease. All current Avian Influenza prevention zones that were put in place on 17th October in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will remain in place until a time in which they are revoked. Defra and the Welsh government have published guidance to support game farmers to mitigate the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds.
These measures are a legal requirement for all keepers to keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to assist in protecting their flocks from the disease. All current Avian Influenza prevention zones that were put in place on 17th October in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will remain in place until a time in which they are revoked. Defra and the Welsh government have published guidance to support game farmers to mitigate the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds.
All bird keepers and landowners are urged to be aware of the clinical signs of bird flu and follow the latest biosecurity advice.
Read more: What does the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mean for poultry keepers?
Can I still go shooting during an outbreak of Avian Influenza
Following a confirmed case, disease control zones are put in place, and there are rules and conditions that must be followed, key biosecurity measures include;
- Reduce close contact between wild birds and game birds
- Reduce infection risk from shoot-to-shoot by guns, beaters, and pickers-up.
- Reduce infection risk of spreading disease on-site between pens, drives, and beats.
Shooting can continue in these disease-control areas, but the release of gamebirds is strictly prohibited. It is advisable to check if you are in a disease control zone on the Animal and Plant Health Agencies interactive map. Everyone that takes part in game shooting should consider what biosecurity measures they should take, if you have been anywhere near an infected site, you should take appropriate action to not spread the disease.
Reduce the risk, use boot dips
While boot dips are a great way of lowering infection pressure they must be used correctly, a suitable DEFRA-approved AI disinfectant is to be used following the correct dilution rates and contact time for Avian Influenza.
Remember you can only disinfect CLEAN boots the term clean and disinfect should always be followed, and change and replenish the solution following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Take into account other items such as guns, clothing, and in particular vehicle wheels and footwells, also bear in mind that some disinfectants are corrosive, product selection is very important for different uses. Remember only ever use a DEFRA-approved AI disinfectant.
How are gun dogs affected?
The APHA has stated that they are unaware of any dogs becoming infected with Avian Influenza by retrieving shot wildfowl or game birds. There have been cases in America where foxes and coyotes have been infected, so it is advisable not to feed uncooked shot or culled birds to dogs and do not allow them to eat wild dead birds.
On all shoots, it is of the utmost importance to liaise with the shoot host to see if there are any specific actions that you are required to follow.
