COUNCIL URGES POULTRY OWNERS TO HELP CUT
BIRD FLU RISK
From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
Poultry
owners are being urged to take action to cut the risk of bird flu.
Wakefield
Council, along with other local authorities in West Yorkshire, is backing a
scheme by the Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
All
poultry keepers across the district need to register their flocks on DEFRA's
Great Britain Poultry Register.
Ian
Stephenson, Corporate Director, Neighbourhood Services, Wakefield Council,
said: "Local authorities will play a vital role in helping to reduce
the risk of avian influenza. This includes advising poultry keepers on
complying with safety controls. The register is an essential part of
that."
Regulations
that came into force on December 9th 2005 require those who own or who are
responsible for 50 or more poultry at commercial premises to give their
details to DEFRA.
Poultry
owners who have flocks below 50 birds or who have non-commercial flocks can
register voluntarily to help fight this threat.
Knowing
where birds are kept and the number of them means DEFRA can communicate
quickly with poultry owners in the event of a potential disease outbreak and
target resources where they are needed most.
DEFRA
has received around 17,000 registrations so far but local authorities want
to be sure that all poultry keepers have the opportunity to register their
flocks.
To
register, either go to the DEFRA website or ring the DEFRA helpline on 08459
335577.
Poultry
keepers can also get information from the DEFRA website on how to protect
their birds.
This
includes making preparations to keep their poultry indoors away from wild
birds, particularly wild fowl.
Ref:
PR787
Date: 11/04/06
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