Avian influenza (bird flu): Importation of game birds
Avian influenza advice from the British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA) and Defra to Gamekeepers and their veterinarians.
Background
Many millions of game birds will be imported to the UK over the coming months. Most will arrive as hatching eggs or chicks, but up to 3 million birds will be imported as 8 week old pheasant poults or 18 week partridge chicks which may have been reared outdoors.
There are measures in place to prevent these birds introducing notifiable disease – avian influenza and Newcastle disease – to the UK. These include surveillance in France and official veterinary health certification. In addition, France is enforcing enhanced biosecurity on game farms in areas identified as being at risk from migrating birds.
There is currently no evidence that the H5N1 virus is present in the game bird exporting region of Western France. Should the virus be found, EU law would ban trade in live birds; the extent and duration of the ban would depend on the precise circumstances.
Game bird importers can help to reduce the risk even further as follows:
1. Legal requirements that you must comply with when importing birds:
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Notify your local Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM) at least one working day before import is due. Contact details can be found in the telephone directory or on the Animal Health website.
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Make sure the birds arrive with an official health certificate and keep it for a year.
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Check that the details on the certificate match the details of the shipment, including the correct destination address. If they do not, advise the DVM immediately.
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Register the flock with Defra
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Keep movement records for each batch of birds, and for any birds leaving your premises
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Report any suspected avian notifiable disease to the DVM
The SVS will be checking a high proportion of consignments, including most live poults, at destination.
2. Management measures to minimise the risk of introducing disease:
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At least a week before the arrival of the birds/eggs discuss the
current situation with your poultry veterinarian. Take action on any advice they give you to maintain biosecurity to prevent the introduction of avian influenza and other diseases. -
Older birds represent a greater risk, so whenever possible import eggs or chicks rather than older birds
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Seek assurances from your supplier that flocks of origin are biosecure and have shown no signs of disease
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If eggs are imported to be hatched in the UK, check that the hygiene in the hatchery is good, and that any unacceptable drop in hatchability is investigated by a veterinarian.
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Ensure that crates have been disinfected using a Defra approved product before use
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Keep birds isolated for 21 days after import or hatching
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Keep up to date with the latest information from Defra
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Involve your veterinary surgeon if you have any sick birds or unusual mortality
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Seek advice on these points and anything else that you want to know about avian influenza from your poultry veterinarian
BVPA and Defra 31 March 2006
Page last modified:
November 14, 2007 13:05