RBST is part of the Defra Avian Influenza Stakeholder Group which is meeting daily at the moment for exchange of information.

Please click here for information about housing domestic poultry. [1]

Using the above link you will also find information on the Rare Breeds Database. This Legislation allows for instances where Avian Influenza is confirmed on a premises, and any birds on that premises that are listed as a rare breed (by Defra) may potentially benefit from the derogation from culling, providing such derogations do not endanger disease control.

The Trust would like to recommend all poultry breeders to complete the Avian Influenza Questionnaire ‘click here to download’. This will help us record the numbers and distribution of our rare and native poultry breeds.

Please note this years Avian Influenza Questionnaire now includes an extended list of poultry breeds, which are to be added to the Watchlist in 2008. It is therefore important that we gain information on these breeds to compliment data from previous year’s questionnaires.

Bio-security advice is found on the questionnaire and we would recommend poultry keepers to follow these key points to help safeguard their flocks.

If you have any queries or wish to receive a postal questionnaire please do not hesitate to contact the RBST on 024 7669 6551.

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