Govt vets join forces with hen welfare group on biosecurity

They are keen to ensure backyard flock owners are up to speed with communications, particularly during periods of disease control, such as avian influenza outbreaks.

And they are also hopeful that the link will lead to more small flock keepers joining the UK Poultry Register.

All poultry keeper have a role to play in biosecurity

In a joint statement, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss, Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voss and Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer Christianne Gliossop, said:

“Poultry keepers, large and small, have a vital role to play in helping to make sure that high biosecurity standards are used and maintained. This will ensure we are prepared as possible for any potential disease outbreaks.

“Working in collaboration with the British Hen Welfare Trust and its members will be key to getting this important message out to poultry keepers, especially pet owners, and we look forward to working with them now and in the future.”

Improvements in information flow to all poultry keepers

Jane Howarth MBE, found of the charity, said the Trust had previously worked with both the NFU and egg industry stakeholders to produce husbandry guidance.

“We re-home 50,000 commercial hens annually, so there is clearly a need to ensure all poultry keepers are fully informed on both general flock management and what to do in a period of disease outbreak. Anything that improves the flow of information given to poultry keepers has to be a good thing for both the commercial and hobby sectors,” she said.