Friday 04 February 2022
In order to limit the risk of Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreaks in Guernsey, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure has created the Avian Influenza (Precautionary Measures) Order, 2022. Through this, there is now a legal requirement for all poultry keepers to register their poultry with the States Veterinary Officers and implement good biosecurity measures.
Avian influenza is a viral infection of domestic poultry and other wild birds, such as migrating waterfowl. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants.
Creation of the Avian Influenza (Precautionary Measures) Order, 2022 comes following the ongoing epidemic in the UK and Europe. Here in the Bailiwick, our poultry are at risk of contracting avian influenza from migratory wild birds, primarily waterfowl. The Oder is due to lapse on 1 January 2023, but may be revoked earlier if risk of local infection subsides.
By holding a register of poultry keepers, the States Veterinary Officers can notify keepers of important developments and directly distribute the latest guidance. Knowing the numbers and locations of poultry on-island will also help the Veterinary Officers in the event of an outbreak.
If you have already voluntarily registered your poultry, there is no need to re-register.
In addition to registration, the provisions of the Order:
1) Requires owners and persons in charge of domestic birds to:
(a) ensure that wild birds cannot access food or water available to those domestic birds, or any feed, bedding, litter or other thing used by or for those domestic birds
2) Requires owners and persons in charge of birds imported from any country or territory (including other parts of the Bailiwick) where there has been an outbreak or suspected outbreak of avian influenza to (within 30 days of importation):
(a) return them to the country or territory of last dispatch or (where this is impossible) keep them as directed by the States Vets until return becomes possible
(b) cleanse, disinfect, treat, dispose of or destroy any feed, bedding, litter or other thing used by them and waste produced by them as directed by the States Vets, and
(c) avoid contact with domestic birds for a period directed by the States Vets, except as permitted by those officers
3) Authorises the States Vets to inspect, test or treat any wild bird which may have travelled to Guernsey (including Herm or Jethou) from a country or territory where there has been an outbreak or suspected outbreak, or which may have been exposed to or infected with avian influenza
4) Requires owners and persons in charge of premises where domestic birds are kept to ensure those birds are kept in a manner and under conditions necessary to ensure no direct or indirect contact with wild birds or their droppings, and
5) Prohibits the holding or carrying out of any event (e.g. show, display, fair, exhibition or competition) involving any gathering of birds.
All poultry keepers are advised to read the information on Avian Influenza found at https://gov.gg/animalhealth. On this webpage, poultry keepers can also find a form to register their poultry.
The Order may be viewed on the Guernsey Legal Resources website: https://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/.
