Stormont’s Agriculture Minister has insisted his department “took swift action” over bird flu in Northern Ireland.
Housing measures for birds and poultry to halt the spread of Avian Influenza came into force in the region on Monday.
The order from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), requires owners of pet birds, commercial flocks, backyard flocks, and hobby flocks to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separate from wild birds.
The decision to introduce the restrictions was made before it was announced at the weekend that 64,000 birds were culled at a site near Dungannon, Co Tyrone, following a suspected case of Avian Influenza.
Andrew Muir also told the Assembly that there will be compensation for culled birds.
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Similar measures are also being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in Ireland.
Mr Muir said a suspect case of notifiable Avian Influenza was reported on Friday, February 14 and initial results suggested the presence of notifiable HPAI.
Following further investigation, the CVO (Chief Veterinary Officer) Brian Dooher took the decision, as a precautionary measure, for disease control measures including the cull at the Co Tyrone site as well as Temporary Control Zones (TCZ).
In a statement earlier, Mr Muir said: “It is crucial that all bird owners – from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers with thousands of birds – adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and report any suspect cases to the department as soon as possible.”
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has applied across Northern Ireland since January 18, which places a legal requirement on all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.
The minister faced an urgent oral question on the matter in the Assembly on Monday, and said his thoughts are with those involved with the “family-run farm” that was impacted which he described as a “really excellent operation”.
Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir faces an urgent oral question around Avian Influenza at the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday (NI Assembly/PA)
“My department has taken swift action to prevent further incursions, for progressing the necessary measures following the establishment of control zones including licensing requirements and surveillance activities,” he told MLAs.
“Humane culling of the birds is also under way at the premises.”
He said the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone will remain in place until the risk reduces.
“DEARA officials have met with key industry stakeholders over the weekend and will continue to liaise closely with them and colleagues in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland as the situation develops,” he said.
“The need for continuous excellent biosecurity to prevent further incursions will continue to be highlighted by my department as a crucial way to protect the national flock.”
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said the issue has “caused significant concern and distress to many poultry farmers”, describing an industry “worth hundreds of millions to the Northern Ireland economy”.
Mr Muir said his department will provide compensation.
“My department will pay the compensation for the birds culled as a result of this outbreak,” he said.
“There is a really important issue here about supporting the poultry industry and I will work within the budget that I have within my department to cover the compensation around these issues because it is important we give that assistance to the farming community in Northern Ireland. That is what I am committed to doing.”
Following the suspected case in Co Tyrone, Mr Dooher said: “The disease control measures have been taken to limit any potential spread of disease and I appeal to all bird owners – backyard and commercial – to take all necessary steps to protect your flock.
“This includes ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and adhering to all the requirements mandated under the AIPZ.
“Samples from the infected premises have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory to confirm strain and pathogenicity.
“Should HPAI be officially confirmed, these TCZs will be revoked and replaced with a three kilometre Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone (SZ).”