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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Farmers warned to keep birds indoors as bird flu spreads across East of England | Farmers warned to keep birds indoors as bird flu spreads across East of England |
| (3 months later) | |
| Farmers in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are being asked to keep flocks indoors as wild bird infections rise | Farmers in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are being asked to keep flocks indoors as wild bird infections rise |
| The government's chief veterinary officer said she has not ruled out another UK-wide lockdown due to "unprecedented levels" of bird flu. | The government's chief veterinary officer said she has not ruled out another UK-wide lockdown due to "unprecedented levels" of bird flu. |
| The country has seen it's biggest ever outbreak in the past year with more than 170 cases confirmed. | The country has seen it's biggest ever outbreak in the past year with more than 170 cases confirmed. |
| From Wednesday, birdkeepers in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex must keep their birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures. | From Wednesday, birdkeepers in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex must keep their birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures. |
| Christine Middlemiss described the rise in infections as a "global phenomenon". | Christine Middlemiss described the rise in infections as a "global phenomenon". |
| Cases have been reported in at least 17 premises locally since last month. | Cases have been reported in at least 17 premises locally since last month. |
| The mandatory housing measures apply to all poultry and captive birds, regardless of type or size, following a decision by Dr Middlemiss on Saturday. | The mandatory housing measures apply to all poultry and captive birds, regardless of type or size, following a decision by Dr Middlemiss on Saturday. |
| The affected areas were placed in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone last month after a series of outbreaks. | The affected areas were placed in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone last month after a series of outbreaks. |
| Alaistaire Brice, who owns Havensfield Eggs in Eye, Suffolk, told the BBC he believed the current Defra strategy was "not working". | Alaistaire Brice, who owns Havensfield Eggs in Eye, Suffolk, told the BBC he believed the current Defra strategy was "not working". |
| "We really have little or no control over the wild birds that are visiting your site - the flu is now ahead of the curve," he said. | "We really have little or no control over the wild birds that are visiting your site - the flu is now ahead of the curve," he said. |
| "Defra are scrambling, trying to catch up. | "Defra are scrambling, trying to catch up. |
| "I fear the weather will get worse and the virus will get stronger." | "I fear the weather will get worse and the virus will get stronger." |
| Alaistaire Brice said he is "incredibly worried" for the future of his business and the poultry industry | Alaistaire Brice said he is "incredibly worried" for the future of his business and the poultry industry |
| The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the housing order legally required birdkeepers to keep their flocks indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures. | The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the housing order legally required birdkeepers to keep their flocks indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures. |
| In the UK in the past year, 161 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in poultry and captive birds, leading to the culling of 3.2m birds. | In the UK in the past year, 161 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in poultry and captive birds, leading to the culling of 3.2m birds. |
| Bird keepers preparing for avian flu 'flockdown' | Bird keepers preparing for avian flu 'flockdown' |
| Poultry in three areas kept indoors over bird flu | Poultry in three areas kept indoors over bird flu |
| Birds to be culled after avian flu outbreak | Birds to be culled after avian flu outbreak |
| This will be the second lockdown, or 'flockdown' - as it has been termed by some birdkeepers - this year. | This will be the second lockdown, or 'flockdown' - as it has been termed by some birdkeepers - this year. |
| A UK-wide housing measures lockdown was introduced by Defra on 29 November and was not lifted until 2 May this year. | A UK-wide housing measures lockdown was introduced by Defra on 29 November and was not lifted until 2 May this year. |
| Mr Brice said the biggest problem was a failure by Defra to remove dead infected wild birds from local waterways. | Mr Brice said the biggest problem was a failure by Defra to remove dead infected wild birds from local waterways. |
| "We're seeing dead birds floating in rivers and on ponds and on lakes throughout the whole of East Anglia and they stay there and they rot," he said. | "We're seeing dead birds floating in rivers and on ponds and on lakes throughout the whole of East Anglia and they stay there and they rot," he said. |
| "No-one is picking up those infected carcasses and disposing of them properly." | "No-one is picking up those infected carcasses and disposing of them properly." |
| Bird owners have been told to keep flocks indoors as a Housing Order comes into force on Wednesday | Bird owners have been told to keep flocks indoors as a Housing Order comes into force on Wednesday |
| Dr Middlemiss told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "a most unusual year", with an "unprecedented level of infection in wild birds over the winter that came in migratory birds". | Dr Middlemiss told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "a most unusual year", with an "unprecedented level of infection in wild birds over the winter that came in migratory birds". |
| "That has lasted in our own wild bird population over the summer for the first time ever," she said. | "That has lasted in our own wild bird population over the summer for the first time ever," she said. |
| "Another lockdown across GB is quite possible. | "Another lockdown across GB is quite possible. |
| "With the level in wild birds there is little we can directly do to manage it. That's a global phenomenon." | "With the level in wild birds there is little we can directly do to manage it. That's a global phenomenon." |
| She said bird owners should consult their local authority or landowner about the removal of dead birds in the first instance. | She said bird owners should consult their local authority or landowner about the removal of dead birds in the first instance. |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs | Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
| Wildlife | Wildlife |
| Essex |