DEFRA have this afternoon informed the British Poultry Council that they have identified three swans infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza in the area of the Chesil Beach, Weymouth, Dorset.

These are three separate birds found along the Chesil Beach. There are a small number of swans undergoing further testing.

Following the discovery, DEFRA will be putting in place a series of inter-locking 3km wild bird control zones, centred on each infected bird. This will result in a zone stretching along the coast, from Abbotsbury to Osmington, including Weymouth and Portland. There is also a 10km wild bird monitoring zone in place beyond these.

The movement of live poultry, hatching eggs, poultry meat, by-product and poultry manure will be controlled under license in the 3km zones. No manure spreading, poultry gatherings, hunting of birds or release of game birds will be allowed in the 3km zones.

Inside the wild bird monitoring area movement of poultry and hatching eggs is also restricted and will done under license. There is also a ban on bird gatherings in the monitoring zone.

There is a requirement to house all poultry in both the control and the monitoring zones.

Information from the Poultry Register indicates that this isn’t an area with a high density of poultry sites. There are no poultry slaughterhouses or hatcheries covered by the 3km zones.

Speaking this afternoon, Peter Bradnock, BPC Chief Executive said: ‘The BPC has had ongoing discussions with DEFRA about avian influenza and we believe this approach to be the right action at this time. It should be stressed that the infection is in a very small number of wild birds, not poultry, and there is not a reason for public concern. Avian Influenza is not a food safety issue’.

-ENDS-

 Notes to Editors:

1.       The British Poultry Council is the leading representative organization for companies and individuals engaged in breeding, hatching, rearing and processing chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese to produce poultry meat.

BPC 10 January 2008