Shropshire's small-scale chicken owners face avian flu struggle

Shropshire's "chicken man" – breeder and author Andy Cathwray – said that the large operators had big enough buildings and tight bio-security already built in to cope with the government instructions that poultry and other birds must be kept inside over the next 30 days to minimise the risk of the disease coming into Britain from Europe.

There are fears that migrating birds may bring in the virulent strain of flu.

Mr Cathwray, who runs his Chicken Street breeding business in Whittington, near Oswestry, said the restrictions were sensible precautions.

"There have been no instances of avian flu in Britain but it is important that we take the necessary steps to ensure it doesn't affect our flocks," he said.

"In Britain 95 per cent of poultry is owned by just five per cent of those who have the birds. These are big commercial enterprises who, even though the chickens may be free range, have the buildings to keep them indoors."

But Mr Cathwray said it was far more difficult for the remaining 95 per cent of poultry owners with the five per cent of birds.

"These are breeders like myself, smallholders and those who keep chickens in the gardens and back yards," he said.

"Most people have a small indoor area for their chickens, quite sensibly as they can huddle together and keep warm at night. All they usually need is a perch space. Keeping them indoors for 30 days is going to be a real struggle."

Turkey and poultry producers say that the avian flu restrictions that mean birds must be kept indoors or away from wild birds for the next month will not affect Christmas.

The UK government has issued directives to poultry farmers and others who keep captive birds.

Outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N8), which is deadly to birds, have been confirmed in several countries across Europe.

No cases have been found in the UK, but there are fears the annual migration of flocks could bring the disease to Britain.

Large producers already have stringent bio-security in place and enough housing in which to keep free range chickens and other poultry.

One medium sized Shropshire producer, William Brisbourne, has 1,700 geese and 1,200 turkeys almost ready for Christmas and his flocks are a popular site out in the fields at his farm at Nesscliffe, between Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

"The directive came at a good time for us as we were moving the birds into housing anyway ready for the Christmas market," he said.

"This is a good and very sensible preventive measure by Defra to ensure that we don't have a problem in this country with avian flu. We already have bio-security in place, we just had to step up our vigilance," he said.

"People coming to collect their goose or turkey will not be affected as they do not come into contact with the farm business."

Shropshire Tourism is urging its members to consider whether they need to take any measures.

A spokesman said: "Avian Flu is a disease that can not only affect poultry farmers it could affect all those rural accommodation businesses who have duck ponds or free range chickens for instance.

"It could also affect farm attractions with bird exhibits, golf courses, hotels and garden attractions with lakes."

Powys County Council's Trading Standards Service is warning the county's poultry farmers and captive bird owners to keep their birds indoors or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds for the next 30 days.

It says the Welsh Government is continuing to monitor the situation closely and has increased its surveillance activity, while keepers are being urged to reinforce biosecurity measures on their premises.