OKEHAMPTON National Farmers Union (NFU) branch is calling on everyone who keeps poultry to make sure their birds are being kept indoors to try and guard against the risk of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Tony Dallyn, chairman of the Okehampton NFU branch, said:’Even if you only have a few hens, ducks or geese it is essential that you take every opportunity to reduce the risk of your flock coming into contact with wild birds.

‘Whilst there is no risk to human health, and eggs and poultry meat are perfectly safe to eat, this disease is very serious for birds and poultry keepers must continue to be vigilant and pay strict attention to all their biosecurity protocols.

‘We all have an equally important part to play in reducing the risk of avian influenza for backyard or commercial flocks.’

The current avian influenza protection zone has been extended until February 28, and all keepers of poultry and other captive birds are now required by law to house them (keep them under cover) or otherwise keep them separate from wild birds.

Mr Dallyn said that this order applied to all poultry, no matter how many birds people had.

He added that all poultry keepers must continue to keep a close watch on the health of their birds, and take steps to reduce the risk of infection from the environment, for example in wild bird droppings, by practising good biosecurity.