This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6330701.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Appeal to farmers over bird flu Poultry importing rules revised
(about 12 hours later)
Poultry farmers across Northern Ireland are being told to be extra vigilant following an outbreak of bird flu in the east of England. The Department of Agriculture has imposed new rules on importing poultry as a precaution against the bird flu outbreak in England.
Three million chickens are produced in Northern Ireland every week. New licences will be needed to bring birds into Northern Ireland.
Officials are co-operating with the Republic of Ireland on a precautionary ban on birds from Britain attending bird gatherings on the island.
Poultry farmers across NI have been told to be extra vigilant following the outbreak of bird flu in England.
Experts are still trying to find the source of the outbreak in Suffolk where 160,000 turkeys are being slaughtered to stop the virus spreading.
Three million chickens are processed in Northern Ireland every week.
Any spread of the disease could devastate a major part of the agriculture industry.Any spread of the disease could devastate a major part of the agriculture industry.
Chief Veterinary Officer Bert Houston said measures are in place to protect farmers and the public against an outbreak of bird flu.Chief Veterinary Officer Bert Houston said measures are in place to protect farmers and the public against an outbreak of bird flu.
"I think the important thing for farmers is to ensure they have good bio-security, that they try and keep their commercial poultry away from any access to wild birds and that they keep wild birds away from any access to either the food or the water for their poultry."I think the important thing for farmers is to ensure they have good bio-security, that they try and keep their commercial poultry away from any access to wild birds and that they keep wild birds away from any access to either the food or the water for their poultry.
"For the public there's information about, if they find collections of wild birds for instance which have died, there's information on our website about how to contact us and let us know about that," Mr Houston said."For the public there's information about, if they find collections of wild birds for instance which have died, there's information on our website about how to contact us and let us know about that," Mr Houston said.
The H5N1 strain can be fatal if passed on to humans but experts said the outbreak in Suffolk was being contained and posed little danger to people.The H5N1 strain can be fatal if passed on to humans but experts said the outbreak in Suffolk was being contained and posed little danger to people.
"Poultry keepers should watch their birds very closely.""Poultry keepers should watch their birds very closely."
The Department of Agriculture says it has "robust plans" in place in the event of any outbreak in N Ireland. The Department of Agriculture says it has "robust plans" in place in the event of any outbreak in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Farmers Union urged poultry keepers to ensure good bio-security measures are in place.The Ulster Farmers Union urged poultry keepers to ensure good bio-security measures are in place.
UFU President Kenneth Sharkey said: "The best way to contain and eradicate this outbreak is to be extremely vigilant and deal with any incidents as quickly as possible.UFU President Kenneth Sharkey said: "The best way to contain and eradicate this outbreak is to be extremely vigilant and deal with any incidents as quickly as possible.
The Department of Agriculture said it was "continuing to liaise closely with DEFRA and the Department of Agriculture and Food in Southern Ireland to monitor the situation".The Department of Agriculture said it was "continuing to liaise closely with DEFRA and the Department of Agriculture and Food in Southern Ireland to monitor the situation".
It said a veterinary risk assessment was being carried out and surveillance of wild birds in Northern Ireland was ongoing.It said a veterinary risk assessment was being carried out and surveillance of wild birds in Northern Ireland was ongoing.
The department emphasised that avian flu is not a food safety risk.The department emphasised that avian flu is not a food safety risk.