This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Further advice on avian flu
22/02/2006
Following the recent further spread of avian influenza in Europe, poultry keepers are being reminded of the sensible precautions that can be taken to protect their birds.
The Executive is working closely with the poultry industry and other stakeholders to minimise the risk of avian influenza coming to Scotland.
Industry support has been significant and there has been an excellent response will almost 900 poultry keepers to signing up to the poultry register.
The Executive also published today a leaflet summarising the information on biosecurity that is available for bird keepers.
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie, said:
"The response to the poultry register has been very positive. It is a legal obligation for commercial producers with more than 50 birds to register and I would urge those who have yet to register to do so by 28th February."
"Registering is already beginning to have benefits for producers. While mainly intended as a tool to help in a disease outbreak, we are using the register to target practical biosecurity information to support poultry keepers in their efforts to maintain the health of their flocks."
The species covered by the new register are chickens (including bantams); pheasants; pigeons (reared for meat); turkeys; ducks; geese; guinea fowl; quail; partridges; ostriches; emus; rheas; cassowaries; kiwis.