Avian influenza protection measures
17 November 2020
Article: 54/4607
The Scottish Government has announced the introduction of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across Scotland. This brings into place stringent biosecurity measures for all bird keepers, including those who keep pet birds, to help prevent the spread of avian influenza from wild birds or any other source. This precautionary step has been taken in response to a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8, causing high mortality in poultry and wild birds in England and Europe.
The measures will be kept under review and will be adjusted to reflect the risks. A similar zone has also been declared in England and Wales.