Farmed animal health

Our Animal Health Service is involved with controlling the movement of livestock, preventing the spread of animal disease and protecting animal welfare.

Avian Influenza - Bird Flu

IMPORTANT INFORMAITON FOR KEEPERS OF POULTRY AND OTHER CAPTIVE BIRDS:

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is in place across Great Britain. If you own poultry, even just a few pet chickens, or game birds you must take action now to improve biosecurity for your birds to reduce the risk of disease spread. From 7 November 2022, a housing order has been in place which means they have to be shut indoors.

As a keeper of birds, it is your responsibility to keep up to date with the latest advice which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#latest-situation.

Please read this information carefully and make any changes required with immediate effect. Also, please be vigilant to signs and symptoms of Avian Influenza in your flock and call DEFRA if you observe any signs of this.

The Animal Health and Welfare Section, in conjunction with DEFRA, have contingency plans in place should cases of Avian Influenza be found in commercial poultry flocks, domestic fowl or wild birds. In October 2022, two cases were confirmed in wild birds in the Wakefield district.

For more information on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) please visit the DEFRA website.

If you require any more information on the keeping and registration of poultry please contact us on 03458 506 506.

IMPORTANT

Dead wild birds should be reported to DEFRA on 03459 33 55 77

When in the countryside or urban parks, people are advised to do the following to help stop the spread of bird flu:

Keep to the footpath
Keep dogs on leads
Do not feed waterfowl (swans, ducks and geese)
Do not pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds
Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings

Rabies

The British Isles have been free of rabies for many decades, but because of the existence of the disease elsewhere there is concern about rabies being reintroduced by imported animals. All rabies susceptible animals entering the UK are required to spend six months in quarantine, unless arriving under and complying with all the conditions of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

Our Animal Health Service, in conjunction with DEFRA, have a contingency plan in place should a case of rabies be reported or suspected in the area. Should anyone suspect that an animal has been imported into the country illegally, or may be infected with rabies they should contact us - 08458 506 506.

More about quarantine can be found on the DEFRA website.

Bluetongue

Anyone wanting general advice on Bluetongue should contact the DEFRA helpline on 08459 33 55 77

Animal movements

For specific enquiries concerning animal movement issues in the Wakefield area please contact Environmental Health on 08458 506 506.

Further guidance can also be found on the Government's DEFRA website.

Contact Us

customerservices@wakefield.gov.uk

0345 8 506 506

Environmental Health Wakefield Council Wakefield One PO Box 700 Burton Street Wakefield WF1 2EB