Easing Of Bird Flu Restrictions In Scotland

Subject to no further cases of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 being found, the Scottish Executive is working on the following assumption:


The Wild Bird Protection Zone put in place on 5 April following confirmation of highly pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza in a Whooper swan in Cellardyke harbour will be lifted at 00.01 on 22 April. This is 21 full days after samples were taken from the wild swan.


The Wild Bird Protection Zone will then become part of the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone. Restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds remain in force but controls on movement of poultry products within this area will cease.


Following completion of a programme of veterinary inspections, with negative results, of all premises with poultry in the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone and taking account of epidemiological advice, restrictions imposed in this zone, will be lifted at 00.01 on 1 May.


It is intended that the Wild Bird Risk Area (east of the M90/A90 stretching from the Forth Bridge to Stonehaven) will lapse at the same time as the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone on 1 May subject to a veterinary risk assessment.


The Wild Bird Protection Zone covers an area of 3 km radius from the site where the dead swan was found. The Wild Bird Surveillance Zone covers an area of 10 km radius from the site where the dead swan was found.


The Wild Bird Protection and Surveillance Zones were made under the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) (Scotland) Order 2006.


The Wild Bird Risk Area was made under the Avian Influenza (Preventative Measures) (Scotland) Regulations.


Scottish Executive