September 11, 2017

UK poultry group to hold bird flu roadshows

The UK Poultry Health and Welfare Group (PHWG) will hold a series of roadshows next month to share lessons learnt from last winter's bird flu outbreaks.

Commercial poultry producers and non-commercial poultry keepers have been invited to attend any of the 12 roadshows taking place across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales between Oct. 4 and 26.

Following the bird flu outbreaks during winter 2016/17, the roadshows offer an opportunity for the industry to share best practices and lessons learnt with small-scale poultry producers and backyard poultry keepers.

The roadshows will share lessons learnt and discuss the ways in which the spread of the infection during an outbreak can be minimised. They will also bring up-to-date information on the disease threats while highlighting the importance of maintaining effective biosecurity throughout the year to avoid any incursion of potential infection.

Speakers will include local Animal and Plant Health Agency veterinarians, licensing team officials, private veterinary practices and other experts from the sector.

Attendance in the roadshows is free and lunch will be provided. Those planning to attend are asked to register in advance. The British Poultry Council (BPC)will be chairing the roadshows in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The PHWG, formed in 2013, brings together the UK poultry sector engaged in breeding and rearing poultry species for commercial production.

Members include the BPC, the British Egg Industry Council, the National Farmers Union, the Game Farmers Association and the British Veterinary Poultry Association.

For more info, email info@britishpoultry.org.uk.