BEIC Welcome Decision To Move Free Range Indoors
UK - The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has welcomed Defra’s decision to order free range birds inside within a limited area on the Suffolk/Norfolk borders, as both appropriate and timely to protect flocks from the risk of bird flu.
27 November 2007
2 minute read
"There is no risk to humans from bird flu in the UK - this measure is simply to protect poultry flocks."
Mark Williams, Chief Executive of the British Egg Industry Council.
Mark Williams, Chief Executive of the British Egg Industry Council, said: “Defra has taken appropriate action in ensuring birds in the immediate vicinity of the infected turkey flock are housed as a temporary precautionary measure as required by EU legislation.
“There is no risk to humans from bird flu in the UK - this measure is simply to protect poultry flocks.
“Free range birds are housed every night as a matter of course and so have plenty of space to move around and all their food and water is inside.”
The industry already has extremely high biosecurity standards in place, which have been strengthened even further in the last two years, including hygiene measures such as strict control of visitors, no feeding and watering on the range, thorough disinfection and wild bird-proof buildings.
