Bird keepers urged to be aware of obligations following Avian Flu confirmation

Orkney Islands Council’s animal welfare team is urging all bird keepers to be aware of their obligations following confirmation of cases of bird flu near Finstown.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been put in place by the Scottish Government in Finstown, following confirmation of a highly pathogenic cases of avian flu at a property.

The declaration, made earlier this week (22 November 2023) is in place until further notice and means movement restrictions within these zones – for example, poultry, carcases, eggs, used poultry litter and manure – to prevent any further spread of disease.

The three kilometre Protection Zone covers Finstown and the ten kilometre Surveillance Zone covers Stenness, Harray, Rendall, Orphir and part of Kirkwall.

Officers from OIC Trading Standards are erecting signage within the Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone and letters will be sent to 500 households in the area.

Trading Standards Manager, Gary Foubister, heads up the Council’s animal welfare service – he urges bird owners around Orkney to be vigilant, and for anyone within the protection and surveillance zones to ensure they check their legal obligations and follow advice.

“The exclusion and protection zones announced this week brings with it the requirements for bird keepers around hygiene for anyone entering or leaving the property, record keeping, and restrictions on the movements of birds and eggs. It is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their birds from bird flu.”

To find out more about the protection and surveillance zone in Firth, read the full declaration.

Biosecurity advice for all bird keepers is available on the Scottish Government website.

Anyone within the protection and surveillance zones unsure of their obligations after reading the guidance above can contact the Council’s Trading Standards team by email or by calling 01856 873535.