A PERIOD of special measures to prevent the spread of bird flu has been extended after outbreaks of a strain of the disease elsewhere in the country, including North Yorkshire.
Poultry owners were first told to keep chickens, turkeys, geese or ducks indoors in December along with other measures as the entire country was declared a ‘prevention zone.’
It was expected that the prevention zone rules would be lifted this month but now the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has extended that until Tuesday 28 February.
Some tips to stop the spread of bird flu on farms and in allotments include thoroughly disinfecting housing regularly, as well as making sure that feed and water is not accessible to wild birds. It is also important that disinfectant is kept at all points where people should use it, such as farm entrances and before entering poultry housing or enclosures.
Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “It is important that anyone who owns poultry is aware of the extension to the prevention zone so that they don’t find themselves in breach of the rules.
“The council’s environmental health team will continue to work with allotment holders and farm workers to make sure they are keeping to the prevention zone as well providing any support that might be needed.”
For more information go to: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs