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'Flockdown' to end on Liberation Day

'Flockdown' to end on Liberation Day

Friday 22 April 2022

'Flockdown' to end on Liberation Day

Friday 22 April 2022


An order requiring birdkeepers to lock up their flocks to curb the spread of a fatal disease will end on Liberation Day, unless the situation "suddenly deteriorates".

Jersey's Chief Vet, Alistair Breed, confirmed the bird flu restrictions change this afternoon.

For now, however, the 'Prevention Zone' remains in place across the whole island, and the continued requirement for birdkeepers to take preventative measures, such as using netting, to stop their flocks from mixing with wild birds.

They must also continue to ensure that their flocks' feed and  and water is not accessible to wild birds.

Ahead of 9 May, a number of other restrictions are being lifted - including the 3km 'Protection Zone' around Jersey Zoo, where there were previous cases, and the wider 'Surveillance Zone' covering the rest of the island. This means a licence is no longer required to move birds or any mammals kept on premises with birds.

The restrictions were put in place in early March, days after it was confirmed that one of Jersey Zoo's endangered red-breasted geese died after being infected with the virus. Two dead buzzards had also been confirmed to have died from bird flu in February.

Mr Breed confirmed that there had been no further cases of H5N1 identified in Jersey or related deaths since early March.

Red-breasted_goose_2021_04.jpeg

Pictured: One of Jersey Zoo's endangered red-breasted geese was confirmed to have died after being infected with bird flu last month.

“The situation is being monitored and disease surveillance and testing is ongoing," Mr Breed said.

"I greatly appreciate the continuing efforts of bird keepers to help stop the spread of avian influenza and am grateful for the public’s reports of dead wild birds.

"While we must not be complacent, I am pleased to be able to lift some restrictions today and hope to be able to remove the housing or separation requirement on 9 May, all being well.”

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