We thank the BEIC for this information
GB AIPZ
The following email has been received from Defra:
“Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and on commercial premises, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
This means that from midday, Monday 17 October, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.
Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklists have been published on each of the GB administration’s website to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity:
Full press notice is here ”.
For details of the AIPZ’s please see:
England - Please see England declaration (excluding Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex) at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1111505/AIPZ_Declaration_17_October_England_excl_Norfolk_Suffolk_pt_Essex.pdf
(The existing AIPZ with mandatory housing continues to apply in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex).
Wales – please see Wales declaration at:
Scotland – please see Scotland declaration at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-october-2022/
GB Disease update
You can check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in a zone on the govt interactive map.
Risk level
Defra have reported that:
“The risk of incursion of highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is now high (with low uncertainty) (that is, event occurs regularly). The risk to poultry with stringent biosecurity is increased to medium (with high uncertainty). However, the risk to poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain with suboptimal biosecurity has been increased to high (with low uncertainty), in light of the increased number of infected premises observed since the start of October and the increased number of wild birds (not colony breeding sea birds) found dead and testing positive at some distance from the coast”.
With some of the existing infected premises, it appears that the same biosecurity shortcomings are still being seen – holes in building fabric allowing wild bird access, staff by-passing foot dips etc.
Please keep wild birds away from your site(s), as best as you are able. Ensure that the integrity of older buildings is as robust as possible e.g., no holes in roofs, guttering, etc. We cannot stress enough how important it is to have in place the highest levels of biosecurity.
Please remember, housing provides x2 reduction in risk, biosecurity provides x44 reduction.
Further information on biosecurity measures is at:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/biosecurity-checklist-and-biosecurity-guidance
Regional AIPZ and housing order
The regional housing order in East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex) came into force at 00.01 hours on Wednesday 12th October 2022.
The housing order legally requires all bird keepers in these hotspots to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.
The interactive map allows a site to check if it is affected. The regional AIPZ with housing measure declaration sets out the requirements in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.
Details are also in this weblink:
The Defra press release on the regional housing order is at:
Designations and General Licences
Govt closed the 2021/22 AI risk season and moved to the 2022/23 risk season on 1st October. Designations of packing centres, hatcheries and hen processing plants have rolled-over, with the plan to have a rolling designation date rather than requiring everyone to re-apply at the same time. In England, designated hen processing plants will need to re-apply by the end of December, or within 12 months of being granted their pre-designation status.
The General Licences currently in place e.g., that allow plastic transit packaging to be used, remain valid.
Rapid Risk Assessment for spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 from wild birds to poultry from the shooting of wild waterfowl and wild game (including formerly captive) birds, 28 September 2022
Please see:
Updated Outbreak Assessment #33 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK, and Europe
Please see the latest Defra/APHA ‘Updated Outbreak Assessment #33 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK, and Europe’ report for 21st September 2022.
Rapid risk assessment on incursion of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 into housed or not housed poultry flocks and captive birds, 2 August 2022:
Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain. Last updated September 2019
Please see the weblink to the Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain, which was last updated during September 2019:
Biosecurity
Please note – AI is in the environment, as shown by the continuing number of AI incidences in wild bird findings across GB.
Please remember that the virus will always find the weakest point of a site’s biosecurity.
It is vital that your biosecurity is at the highest possible level. THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSES
Remember - Biosecurity …Biosecurity…Biosecurity
Record keeping - Please remember that changes in feed and water consumption can be a good indicator of a potential bird health issue. It is therefore vital that you record feed and water consumption accurately, preferably electronically, as it is easier to see any change.
Licencing - GB
If you have any urgent licence needs, please let me know.
General licences allow a movement or activity that would otherwise be prohibited in a disease control zone. You need to check that you meet and comply with the conditions of the general licence. If you do, you do not need to apply for a specific licence. You can rely on the general licence as providing authority for the movement or activity.
The following general licences are available in GB:
General Licence for the movement of samples for salmonella testing from premises in the Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone – updated on 9th February to make clear that samples submitted for Salmonella sampling can also include non-statutory samples. Please see:
General Licence for the Movement of Poultry Carcases for Disposal from Premises in a Protection Zone in England, Wales or Scotland at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1034535/gl-movement-poultry-carcases-disposal-pz.pdf
General Licence for the Movement of Poultry By-Products and Hatching Eggs for Disposal from Premises in a Protection or Surveillance Zone
General Licence for the Spreading on Premises or Movement of used Poultry Litter, Poultry Manure and Poultry Slurry Originating from Premises in a Protection Zone or a Surveillance Zone in England, Wales or Scotland
General licence for the Movement of Carcasses, Samples, Faeces and Faecal Samples from Live Poultry or Other Captive Birds from a Premises in the Protection or Surveillance Zone to a Laboratory or Veterinary Surgery for Investigation
General licence for the Movement of Hatching Eggs from a Premises in a Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone to a Designated Premises for Use for Scientific, Diagnostic or Pharmaceutical Purposes.
General Licence for the Movement of Table Eggs into, within or out of a Protection or Surveillance Zone in GB.
General Licence- Multiple Movements of Table Eggs from a premises in a Free Area to an Egg Processing Plant in a Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone
The following general licence is available in England and Wales:
The General licence for the movement of mammals from or to premises in the Protection or Surveillance Zone where poultry or other captive birds are kept (EXD247(HPAI)(EW)) (PDF, 144KB, 3 pages) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1035005/gl-exd247-ew-movement-mammals.pdf
Avian Influenza Licensing Service
Bird keepers and allied individuals can apply for specific licences for some low risk movements from any Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone currently in force (see GOV.UK/GOV.SCOT/GOV.WALES) for further information on available general licences). Licences for movements within or from the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones currently in force are not required.
On 7th February 2022, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) launched a new service, the Avian Influenza Licensing Service, to allow customers to apply online for an avian influenza licence during the current avian influenza outbreak. If you are in England, Scotland or Wales, all applications for an avian influenza licence need to be made via the new online service. To apply online you need to register and create sign in details. There will be two steps for verification. Once registered, applying online means you can track the status of your application and receive your licence electronically via the new system.
Applications will be received via the online system and will be reviewed, and if appropriate, licences issued correctly to allow essential activities to continue whilst not increasing the risk of spread of avian influenza.
To access the new Avian Influenza Licensing Service, use the following link:
https://apply-for-an-outbreak-licence.defra.gov.uk/
If you require any further information with regards to the process see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-exemption-from-avian-influenza-disease-control-restrictions or contact APHA on 03000 200 301 and choose the relevant options.
Where a licence is needed for a move, APHA have asked that you apply for the licence in good time and not leave it to the last minute, otherwise you are likely to face a delay.
When applying for a licence on the on-line portal, please ensure that you do so 5 days ahead of when you need one.
One of the end of lay hen processing plants is currently caught in an SZ and is having to apply for a licence for each movement into the plant. If you have birds due for depopulation, please ensure that you return the FCI report and any other paperwork requested by the plant promptly. Otherwise, issuing of a licence could be delayed.
AI and wellbeing
Your health and wellbeing matters.
It is understandable, during these times, to feel an increase in stress or anxiety. There are a number of rural charities and support networks that can offer help to those in need.
If you are struggling or know someone who is, know that you are not alone and the below helplines are here to support:
Please see below for some information and contact details.
· FCN: 03000 111 999
· RABI: 0808 281 9490
· DPJ Foundation: 0800 587 4262
· YANA: 0300 3230 400
RABI has created an online farming community where you can access free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support from any device – Online wellbeing support and counselling for farming people.
Farmwell has also published useful personal resilience guidance.
The Prince's Countryside Fund has a list of Farm Support Groups, local organisations and charities working across the UK, supporting people working in agriculture and rural communities.
Coping with the Pressures of Farming - Wellbeing | CAFRE
European situation
With the bird migratory season now underway, what happens in Europe becomes more important to the UK. H5N1 is being seen to be entering Eastern Europe via normal migratory routes.
Cases to date in UK and status
There have now been 205 confirmed cases to date across the UK: 177 in England, 8 in Wales, 13 in Scotland and 7 in Northern Ireland. Once the pathogenicity is confirmed, they will be added to the list below.
