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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) – Latest Situation

Avian influenza (bird flu): Latest situation

New housing measures will come into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 14 December.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared

The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK.

Government Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging bird keepers to use the next 11 days to prepare for new housing measures, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet and where necessary put up additional housing.

Whether you keep just a few birds as pets or thousands, from 14 December onwards you will be legally required to keep your birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.

Poultry and captive bird keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns. They can help prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises, including:

  • housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
  • cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
  • reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and using effective vermin control
  • thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting housing at the end of a production cycle
  • keeping fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all points where people should use it, such as farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures
  • minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

Register your birds

We encourage all keepers to register their birds with us so we can contact you quickly if there is a disease outbreak in your area and you need to take action.

If you have more than 50 birds, you are legally required to register your flock within one month of their arrival at your premises. If you have less than 50 birds, including pet birds, you are still strongly encouraged to register.

Find out how to register your birds.

Poultry and captive bird keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian flu advice.

Public Health England advise the risk to public health from the H5N8 and H5N2 strains of bird flu is very low.

The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) – Prevention Zone

All poultry keepers in England (whether they have commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) are required by law to take a range of biosecurity precautions.

If you keep poultry (including gamebirds or pet birds) or other captive birds, you must act now to reduce the risk of disease in your flock by following the relevant biosecurity measures required within the AIPZ.

Your stock needs to be feed and watered under cover to prevent contamination from wild birds.

Good biosecurity improves the overall health and productivity of your flock by helping keep out poultry diseases such as avian influenza and limiting the spread of disease in an outbreak.

All bird gatherings within the AIPZ are prohibited therefore the general licence that had permitted bird gatherings has been revoked.

For more guidance please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77)

Public Health England advises that the risk to the public’s health is very low. Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers

Avian influenza is unconnected with coronavirus (COVID-19).

Voluntary registration. You can choose to register fewer than 50 birds, or birds you keep as pets. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) encourages you to register even if you do not have to by law. By registering, APHA will be able to contact you if there’s a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area you’ll help prevent the spread of disease and protect the national poultry flock

Newton Abbot Street Marshalls

Police & Crime Commissioner welcomed the new Street Marshalls to Newton Abbot on Saturday 1st of August. The Street Marshalls will be patrolling the streets and parks of Newton Abbot throughout the summer. Also in attendance on Saturday included Councillor Richard Jenks, Mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Mike Joyce, Newton Abbot Town Council Police Advocate; Nigel Kenneison, Newton Abbot Town Crier; Tom Hirst NAST; and representatives of the Police.

Greater Exeter Plans

Newton Abbot Council News

Town Council task force to scrutinise ‘Greater Exeter’ plans

FEARS that Newton Abbot could become a ‘suburb of Exeter’ have prompted the Town Council to set up a special task force to investigate the threat.

The Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP) is a proposed development scheme that could add thousands of extra homes to those already planned for the town.

Until July 23 it was being coordinated by Exeter City, Mid Devon Teignbridge and East Devon District councils but the latter has now opted out to concentrate on its own Local Plan.

Teignbridge however remains committed and has agreed to collectively plan development across a large area with Exmouth to the south, Tiverton to the north and Teignbridge, with the exception of Dartmoor, to the west.

One spot considered for growth above that already in the Teignbridge Local Plan is Houghton Barton on the A383 Ashburton Road.

As many as 2,000 additional new homes could be built there and more land set aside for employment.

Teignbridge District Council has agreed to take part in a public consultation exercise due to start on September 21.

In response Newton Abbot Town Council has created a dedicated team of eight members ready to examine the plan as soon as it is published.

At a virtual meeting on July 22 Cllr Mike Hocking, who also sits on Teignbridge Council, told members about the prospect of GESP taking precedence over the Teignbridge Local Plan and the Newton Abbot Neighbourhood Plan

He said: ‘Another 2,000 homes at Houghton Barton is far far too many for our town.

‘If we didn’t have Haldon Hill between us would we not just be a suburb of Exeter?’

East Devon District Council’s decision to withdraw was based in part on concerns that too much growth was being planned when data suggested that Covid-19 and Brexit could shrink the economy.

Some members also suggested that Exeter was looking to neighbouring authorities to help meet its housing targets.

Mayor Cllr Richard Jenks said: ‘It is critical residents understand that it is not Newton Abbot Town Council making any of these development proposals and that we will scrutinise them carefully, and challenge in the strongest terms if necessary, to ensure the best outcome for our town.

‘I’d urge everyone to make themselves aware of what is in the pipeline and to make their voices heard come September.

‘We’ll post all the latest GESP news on our website, www.newtobabbot-tc.gov.uk.’