UK Poultry farmers hold their breath

The discovery of the UK's possibly first case of avian flu (H5N1) will inevitably start alarm bells ringing at poultry farms across the length and breadth of Britain. Farms in north east Fife are told to take their birds inside. Other farms must wait for further development.

UK poultry farmers produced 1.6 million tonnes of meat in 2004, second only to France in the European Union.

In Scotland, 127,000 tones of meat and 740 million eggs are produced per year.

The Scottish Executive has explained that a number of precautionary measures have been put in place, like a protection zone and surveillance, in accordance with mandated EU decisions.

"Keepers of birds in the protection zone are being instructed to isolate their birds from wild birds, by taking them indoors where ever possible."

Additional measures to restrict the movement of poultry, eggs and poultry products from these zones have also been brought into effect with immediate effect.

Charles Milne, Scotland's chief veterinary officer, also urged farmers outside the protection zone to take similar precautionary measures.

"Bird keepers outside the protection zone should redouble their efforts to prepare for bringing their birds indoors if that becomes necessary," he said.

"They must also review their biosecurity measures to ensure that all possible precautions have been taken."

If the test results show that the swan was infected with the H5N1 strain, then it is here. In a way it was inevitable that we should get it, since most of the surrounding countries already have it. I hope and believe that it will be an eye opener for the British public, and maybe a chance to get them to prepare like the Americans. I certainly hope so.

Source: BBC NEWS: Poultry farmers hold their breath