Find out how to register your birds

UPDATE 26 JANUARY 2023

The risk of avian influenza continues with outbreaks being reported across the UK, and a number of outbreaks in Scotland affecting Aberdeenshire, Highland, Clackmannan and Fife. There continues to be  no reported cases in domestic or farmed poultry in Argyll and Bute, although there was a recent  article in recent local press, reporting  high levels of fatalities in wild migratory geese on Islay.

The risk of outbreaks in Argyll and Bute remains a possibility and poultry keepers (domestic and commercial)  should ensure that they continue to follow strict biosecurity measures. This remains a legal requirement.

Members of the public should not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave in situ. The Council is following this advice and is not uplifting any reported dead bird carcases from shorelines. It is recognised that some landowners may choose to do so and in these instances, the guidance associated with clean-up and disposal, should be followed. Responding to requests from landowners  regarding advice posters to display, the DEFRA notice should be used.

UPDATE: 14 DECEMBER 2022

The risk of avian influenza continues with outbreaks being reported across the UK, and outbreaks confirmed in Aberdeenshire. It is essential that we all remain vigilant in trying to minimise the risk of outbreaks in Argyll and Bute by:

Poultry keepers (domestic and commercial)  should ensure that they continue to follow strict biosecurity measures. This remains a legal requirement.

Members of the public should not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave in situ. The Council is following this advice and is not uplifting dead bird carcases from shorelines. It is recognised that some landowners may choose to do so and in these instances, the guidance associated with clean-up and disposal, should be followed. Responding to requests from landowners  regarding advice posters to display, the DEFRA notice should be used.

New developments/advice

On the 13 December 2022, APHA released a new online reporting system for dead wild birds and have updated their posters for use. Argyll and Bute council encourages the use of the following:

The new online reporting tool for dead wild bird finds, this covers the whole of Great Britain.

Use of the posters to display in public areas have been updated.

UPDATE 17 OCTOBER 2022

Avian Flu Bio-Security Requirements

The Government has put in place requirements for bio-security measures to attempt to control the spread of avian influenza. Information below:-

It is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures 

Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (AI) in wild birds and on commercial premises, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.

This means that from midday today, Monday 17 October, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.

In a joint statement the Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales said:

"Bird keepers have faced the largest ever outbreak of avian flu this year and with winter brings an even more increased risk to flocks as migratory birds return to the United Kingdom. Scrupulous biosecurity and hygiene measures is the best form of defence, which is why we have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain, meaning that all bird keepers must take action to help prevent the disease spreading to more poultry and other domestic birds. The introduction of an AIPZ means regardless of whether you keep a few birds or thousands, you are legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease."

Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Backyard owners with smaller numbers of poultry including chickens, ducks and geese must also take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their animals.

The introduction of an AIPZ follows a decision to raise the risk level for avian influenza incursion in wild birds in Great Britain from ‘medium’ to ‘high’. For poultry and captive birds the risk level has been raised from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ at premises where biosecurity is below the required standards, and from ‘low’ to ‘medium’ where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.

The nationwide AIPZ builds on the additional biosecurity measures that were brought in last week as part of the regional housing order which covers Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.

The AIPZ, now in force across Great Britain, does not include a nationwide requirement to house birds. However, this is being kept under constant review.

The AIPZ will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu.

Find out more

For more information please see the press release on GOV.UK.

UPDATE 20 SEPTEMBER 2022

Briefing: Avian influenza continues to be an issue in the UK, with 3 outbreaks being identified in the south of England over the weekend.

There are no reported cases or outbreaks in Argyll and Bute, and reports of dead bird carcases being washed onto our shores are reducing

The current restrictions on poultry shows and gatherings will remain in place for the foreseeable future

Advice: The public and poultry keepers are asked to continue to be vigilant and continue with measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Good biosecurity is recommended for poultry keepers to protect their poultry from contact with migratory wild birds and to adopt these as best practice all year round.

This advice is detailed in the updates below or via Avian influenza (bird flu) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note that this page will be updated when there is significant changes to announce, and otherwise, please refer to the government website or for specific questions, email animalhealth@argyll-bute.gov.uk

UPDATE 17 AUGUST 2022

GB-wide AIPZ lifted at 12:00 noon on 16 August 2022

Scottish Ministers lifted the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) on Tuesday 16 August 2022 mirroring the lifting of the AIPZ by Defra (England) and the Welsh Government, and so the AIPZ has now been lifted across Great Britain simultaneously.  Whilst avian influenza ( HPAI H5N1) is present in seabird colonies around the UK coast, it is considered that the overall wild bird risk is now sufficiently decoupled from the risk of exposure to poultry,  the risk of exposure to poultry has been reduced to LOW. The risk of incursion into wild bird populations remains at MEDIUM.

The lifting of the AIPZ does not mean the risk of avian influenza has gone away for keepers of these birds, nor does it mean that there will be no more confirmed cases at poultry or other captive bird premises in Scotland or dead wild bird carcases being washed ashore. Therefore, good biosecurity is still vital in ensuring that the spread of the virus is mitigated as much as is possible and previous advice issued remains in place:

1. DEFRA recommend that you do not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave in situ. The Council is following this advice and is not uplifting dead bird carcases from shorelines. It is recognised that some landowners may choose to do so and in these instances, the guidance associated with clean-up and disposal, should be followed. Responding to requests from landowners  regarding advice posters to display, the DEFRA notice should be used.
2. Bird keepers are encouraged to continue to implement the biosecurity measures within the current AIPZ and to adopt these as best practice all year round.

Given the unprecedented levels of infection across the UK during this outbreak season, and the continued uncertainty in terms of risk of exposure to wild birds, the current restrictions on poultry shows and gatherings will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

For more information see Avian influenza (bird flu) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk

UPDATE 9 AUGUST 2022

1. There continues to be reports of dead bird carcases being washed across Scotland, and on our western shores (Kintyre, Islay, Gigha, Mid Argyll and Mull). Like other areas in Scotland, numbers are reducing but the impact of the virus has been devastating.
2. DEFRA recommend that you do not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave in situ. The Council is following this advice and is not uplifting dead bird carcases from shorelines. It is recognised that some landowners may choose to do so  and in these instances, the guidance associated with clean-up and disposal, should be followed. Responding to requests from landowners  regarding advice posters to display, the DEFRA notice should be used.
3. The Council have been notified  of a positive case of avian influenza in a dead white tail eagle carcase collected from Mull.
4. There are unsubstantiated reports that members of the public may be collecting dead bird carcases and leaving them for collection. This is discouraged and the best advice is to leave them in situ and not to touch them, unless they are being collected and disposed of in accordance with DEFRA guidance. Whilst unsightly, with the risk of viable virus reduces through sunlight and increasing temperatures
5. Poultry keepers are advised to maintain good biosecurity measures to protect your poultry from disease
6. Specific contact has been made with commercial poultry businesses to discuss the situation and their arrangements.
7. Avian influenza remains a  low risk to public health, but the Council advises the public and poultry keepers to follow DEFRA guidance:
8. The Council will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates via social media and the council's website.

For more information see Avian influenza (bird flu) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk

UPDATE 25 JULY 2022

1. There are continuing reports of wild bird carcasses being washed ashore in areas of Argyll and Bute, including Kintyre, Islay, Gigha and other west coast areas. Other local authorities are also affected including South and North Ayrshire, Fife, Shetland and Orkney and Highland Councils. These incidents have been reported to DEFRA in accordance with national guidance who are responsible for the sampling and analysis of bird carcasses.
2. The council received a report on the 22 July 2022 of positive avian influenza in 4 wild bird carcasses on Islay. The landowner has been advised.
3. We will continue to do all that we as a council can do to support the area, this does not include the uplift of dead wild bird carcasses. The council have no statutory responsibilities to do so, other than their duties as a landowner.
4. Local authorities are represented on the new national avian influenza taskforce to review the current situation with the national outbreak and coordinate actions with other agencies.
5. Whilst this is low risk to public health, the Council advise the public and poultry keepers to follow this DEFRA guidance:

Advice for the Public

• Do not pick up or touch sick, dying or dead birds, and keep pets away from them.
• If you find three dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), a single dead bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any other species (including gulls) at the same place at the same time, you should report them to Defra’s national GB telephone helpline: 03459 33 55 77
• Where dead wild birds are not required for surveillance purposes, it is the landowner’s responsibility to safely dispose of the carcasses. 
• Bird keepers should follow good biosecurity measures at premises where poultry are kept 
• You can find more information about avian flu here: Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Poultry Keepers

• Poultry keepers who are in control of 50 or more birds are obliged by law to register their flocks regardless of whether they are domestic or commercial, however, keepers with less than 50 birds are  advised to register their poultry and captive birds on the GB Poultry Register.  This will bring them into the information matrix to ensure that they receive up-to-date information on disease alerts.
• Maintain good biosecurity measures to protect your poultry from disease

Landowners. Disposal of dead wild birds found on private property

DEFRA recommend that you do not touch or pick up a dead, wild bird, but leave it in situ. However, the Council recognises that you may choose to dispose of the dead, wild bird, and encourages you to adhere to the guidance associated with clean-up and disposal, as follows:

Household or municipal waste refuse:

• if possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove). When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste (lidded bin outside)
• place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag
• tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag
• remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of it in the normal household refuse bin

Burial:

• the dead wild bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag
• the depth of the burial hole must be sufficient to prevent animals scavenging and gaining access to it – at least 60cm deep is advised
• location must not be near any watercourses, or likely to contaminate local water supplies

The council will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates via social media and the council's website.

For more information see Avian influenza (bird flu) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk

Update - 15th July 2022

DEFRA has advised the council this afternoon of a positive case of avian influenza in a wild bird carcass on Islay. DEFRA is responsible for sampling and analysis of dead birds. The council has made them aware of reports of dead birds along the Kintyre, Islay and other west coast shorelines. We will continue to do all that we as a council can do to support the area. Whilst this is low risk to public health, the council advise the public and poultry keepers to follow this DEFRA guidance:

Advice for the Public

• Do not pick up or touch sick, dying or dead birds, and keep pets away from them.
• If you find three dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), a single dead bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any other species (including gulls) at the same place at the same time, you should report them to Defra’s national GB telephone helpline: 03459 33 55 77
• Where dead wild birds are not required for surveillance purposes, it is the landowner’s responsibility to safely dispose of the carcasses. 
• Bird keepers should follow good biosecurity measures at premises where poultry are kept 
• You can find more information about avian flu here: Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

What actions do Poultry Keepers require to take?

• Poultry keepers who are in control of 50 or more birds are obliged by law to register their flocks regardless of whether they are domestic or commercial, however, keepers with less than 50 birds are  advised to register their poultry and captive birds on the GB Poultry Register.  This will bring them into the information matrix to ensure that they receive up-to-date information on disease alerts.
• Maintain good biosecurity measures to protect your poultry from disease

Update - 7th July 2022

Outbreaks of avian influenza in the UK continue and Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Sheila Voas, confirmed on the 6 July 2022 that birds in a small commercial free-range backyard flock of chickens at a premises near Birsay, Orkney Islands, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.  In order to limit further spread of disease, appropriate restrictions have been imposed, and a 3 km Protection Zone and 10 km Surveillance Zone have been declared, which took effect at 18:50 on 06 July 2022.  Within these zones, a range of different controls and restrictions are implemented.  These include, restrictions on the movement of poultry, carcases, eggs, used poultry litter and manure.

The wider UK outbreak is the largest ever and has involved cases of HPA1 H5N1 across the UK affecting 101 premises in England, 11 in Scotland, 5 in Wales and 6 in Northern Ireland since the first case.

The current risk of incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 infection in wild birds is at MEDIUM.  The risk of poultry and captive bird exposure to HPAI H5 across Great Britain is at MEDIUM where biosecurity is sub-optimal, and is at LOW where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.

From an Argyll and Bute perspective, there are no reports  suspected or confirmed cases but we need to remain vigilant. The Council's animal health and welfare team are monitoring the situation and you are advised to have regard to the following advice:

• The advice from Public Health Scotland that the risk to the general public’s health from avian influenza is very low.  However, the risk to people with intensive exposure to infected birds is considered to be low.  Food Standards Scotland advises that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs.

• Producers and bird keepers are reminded that they are legally required to comply with mandatory biosecurity measures of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ), regardless of the number of birds being kept.  Keepers who are concerned about the health or welfare of their flock should seek veterinary advice immediately.

• Wild Birds - Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people, so do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. In Great Britain, if you find three dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), a single dead bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any other species (including gulls) at the same place at the same time, you should report them to Defra’s national GB telephone helpline: 03459 33 55 77.  It is advisable that you do not touch these birds.

Further advice for keepers can be found via the link avian influenza web pages.