Confirmed case of Avian Influenza at Beswick

Dear Councillors and Town and Parish Councils,

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed a case of Avian Influenza (bird flu) at a farm near Beswick, which impacts on your ward / parish, or is very close to it.

Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, and the UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the general public’s health 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.  There is a lot of further information on the Government’s website:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england

There is a well-established national contingency plan for dealing with avian influenza, which involves APHA humanely culling the affected poultry on the infected premise.  There is no other culling of healthy birds involved, but there are some restrictions introduced on poultry and captive bird owners with 10km of the infected premise. The map attached shows a 3km zone (blue circle) and a 10km zone (black circle) around the infected premise.

 I have attached the declaration which covers all the requirements, but in brief, for people that keep poultry / captive birds as a hobby:

• And are in the in the 3km zone:  there is a requirement to keep poultry and other captive birds “housed” in a structure and must not be moved without a licence.
• And are in either the 3km zone or the 10km zone, there is a requirement to:
  • Not to move poultry, other captive birds, or mammals (including pigs, sheep and cattle), to or from premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept, except under licence.
  • Record and individuals visiting the premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept
  • Ensure appropriate bio-security measures are in place.

The Council has a supporting role as part of the national plan, and we will be putting out some highways signs at the boundary of the 3km zone to let people know they are entering an area with animal disease restrictions.  A small number of posters have also been put up in the 3km zone to inform keepers of poultry and captive birds who have not registered, which has been compulsory registration since 1st October 2024, they must do so now.

There is a lot of further information on the Government’s website:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england and our animal health team can be contacted on animal.health@eastriding.gov.uk.

If you have a social media account it would be really helpful if you could promote the Facebook or Twitter message that APHA have released on the outbreak

It is likely that the restrictions will remain in place for at least the next 6-8 weeks, but we will confirm when they’ve been lifted.

Thank you