Bird flu biosecurity measures to be lifted north and south
Biosecurity regulations for poultry, which had been introduced last December in the Republic, are to be lifted from May 31, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said.
Meanwhile the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister, Andrew Muir, also confirmed that in Northern Ireland, both the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and a ban on poultry gatherings will also be lifted from noon May 31.
Bird flu
According to Minister Heydon, 'the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in our poultry is lower' in summer months than it was over the colder winter months.
'It is appropriate now to lift the regulations which had made strict biosecurity measures compulsory to protect Irish poultry.
'These biosecurity actions are still best practice and I strongly advise anyone with poultry, whether a large farm or a few backyard hens, to continue to implement them,' the minister added.
He also warned that 'there is still a risk, and avian influenza is expected to remain a threat to the Irish poultry sector throughout the year'.
Minister Heydon added: 'Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks, and must be practised year-round.
'I want to praise the huge efforts which have been made across the poultry sector to protect our poultry industry from avian influenza and the serious consequences of an outbreak'.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has continued to stress that members of the public should not handle sick or dead wild birds and also report any incidences of sick or dead wild birds to their regional veterinary office or via the Avian Check App or the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026
Northern Ireland
Meanwhile, DAERA said that compulsory biosecurity measures had previously been introduced in Northern Ireland 'to address the risk posed by avian influenza to the poultry sector'.
According to Minister Muir, the lifting of these measures is a welcome step.
'I want to thank all flock keepers for their vigilance and adherence to good biosecurity measures. This has undoubtedly limited the spread of this disease in NI over the recent months.
'Thanks to the determined efforts from the poultry sector in Northern Ireland to protect their flocks and minimise the impact of disease, we are now in a position to lift the AIPZ and reduce all mandatory restrictions placed on bird keepers,' he added.
However Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer, Brian Dooher said while the measures of the AIPZ are no longer a legal requirement, 'the need for stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures are still of paramount importance to help prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to poultry'.
'Any future bird gatherings should also meet the conditions of a general licence and notify the department in advance.
'It is imperative that we don't get complacent. The risk of an avian influenza incursion to poultry is still present, albeit lower than before.
Lower risk does not mean no risk,' Dooher added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
43 minutes ago
- The Journal
Charlie Bird's wife supporting All-Ireland morning walk in aid of Motor Neurone Disease
THE PUBLIC HAVE been urged to come together and walk 'shoulder to shoulder' by joining a sponsored walk on Sunday, the day of the All-Ireland football final. The walk will take place in Offaly. Organised by a group of Irish sports stars and sporting clubs, the 'Shoulder to Shoulder' walk is in aid of those suffer from ALS, the most common form of Motor Neurone Disease. It will begin the morning of the final at St Brigid's GAA Club, Croghan, Co Offaly starting at 9am. The wife of Charlie Bird, Claire Bird, is supporting the cause. Charlie, the former chief news correspondent with RTÉ, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021 and passed away in March last year. He raised €3.6m in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta before his death. Claire said that there is now more awareness around MND and progress has been made in improving the quality of life for ALS sufferers and their families, but 'more is needed'. 'In particular, funds are urgently needed to discover the cause and potential treatments for this cruel disease and that's what we are asking for today. Advertisement 'Every donation and every act of support will make a difference in the fight against ALS and MND so please, wear your jersey for your teammate on 27 July and donate whatever you can afford to support the research that will bring hope to future generations.' One of the organisers of the walk, former Galway GAA player Michael Meehan, said, 'All Ireland Final day is a special day in Irish sport and on this special day, we call on you to join us in a heartfelt show of solidarity to support all our 'teammates' who are facing ALS.' He invited everyone to wear their jerseys and join the walk on the morning of the All-Ireland. 'Anyone who can't join the walk can still support the cause by donating to iDonate and all funds will go towards Research Motor Neurone,' Michael added. The walk is to raise funds for Research Motor Neurone, an Irish charitable organisation, led by Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin, and an international authority on Motor Neurone Disease and related neurodegeneration. MND is a progressive neurological condition in which the nerves that control voluntary muscles stop working. In Ireland, around 155 people are newly diagnosed with the condition every year; there are currently more than 470 people living with MND and ALS in Ireland. It is a challenging and debilitating disease for which there is currently no cure. Galway GAA, Mountbellew-Moylough GAA, Cu Chulainns GAA (London), Leinster Rugby, [Connacht Rugby], Ireland U20 Rugby, Garbally College are among those supporting the walk. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Agriland
5 hours ago
- Agriland
UFU: Farmers considering bluetongue vaccine should consult vet
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has advised farmers in Northern Ireland considering using a bluetongue vaccine to consult with their vet. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has permitted the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing. The UFU noted that Northern Ireland remains free of the virus and this decision provides livestock keepers with an additional tool as a precautionary, secondary line of defence against the disease. Bluetongue is a notifiable exotic viral disease which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species, such as cattle, sheep and goats, along with camelids. The virus, which does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, is primarily spread by the bite of infected midges, which are more active in warmer months Bluetongue UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy said the approval of these vaccines may offer farmers 'another option in managing potential risks'. 'It's important to understand that while these vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission, they are intended to reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in affected animals. 'Any farmers who are considering vaccination must consult their private veterinary surgeon. 'This will enable them to discuss whether vaccination is appropriate for their specific livestock and farm system, taking into account factors such as the timings of any vaccination programme and future animal movements or buying and selling policies,' he said. 'Our primary aim remains to keep bluetongue out of Northern Ireland through robust bio-security measures, continued vigilance, and the safe sourcing of livestock. 'We urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of BTV, especially as we enter the high-risk period, and to contact their private veterinary practitioner with any concerns,' Cuddy added. The UFU deputy president said that the decision to vaccinate is an individual one for each farmer, to be made in consultation with their veterinary professional. DAERA DAERA has said that if a farmer decides to vaccinate they must have a specific licence from the department to be able to obtain the vaccine. The department said that vaccinating animals does not impact on trade or movement of animals so long as Northern Ireland remains BTV-3 free. However, DAERA said that the use of vaccines may limit use of negative serology for germinal product certification to some third countries, requiring PCR instead. Farmers are being reminded that the direct movement of all live ruminants and camelids from Britain to Northern Ireland is still suspended and the use of approved unauthorised vaccines does not change this.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
HSE paid supplier €723,000 twice in 2021 and has not recovered overpayment
The HSE paid a supplier €723,000 twice and has not recovered the overpayment according to the State auditor. The double payment was made by two different areas of the HSE on separate financial systems operating in December 2021, which was not cross-checked. The Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy said the HSE disclosed the payment and set out actions to avoid such a situation in the future. "The HSE acknowledges there were weaknesses in controls, particularly, in relation to appropriate goods receipting protocols," Mr McCarthy said in an assessment attached to the HSE's annual report and financial statements for 2024. "The statement on internal control sets out the actions taken by the Health Service Executive to avoid similar circumstances recurring in the future." He said a single integrated financial system, which was due to go live at the start of this month, would "significantly reduce the risk of this kind of overpayment occurring in the future". Mr McCarthy also highlighted that €4.1 million due to the HSE was lost last year by missing deadlines by which it could claim charges for patients covered by a health insurer. A memorandum of agreement with the health insurer in 2016 sees the HSE paid 70 per cent of its charges for a patient stay, on account, if it makes its submission and validation within a 12-month period of a fully completed claim. If it does not meet that deadline, it must pay for all of the costs. "For a sample of eight hospitals examined on audit, it was noted that losses incurred in 2024 as a result of delays in submitting completed claims amounted to €2 million," Mr McCarthy said. "The Executive estimates that losses for the remaining hospitals it manages were €2.1 million, resulting in an estimated total loss of €4.1 million for 2024." The HSE's annual report indicated there was a 10 per cent reduction in the number of people waiting on trolleys in emergency departments last year. Over 108,000 people were recorded on trolleys in emergency departments last year, amid an 8 per cent increase in the total number of people attending and a rise of 7 per cent in admissions to emergency departments. HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said one of the most "challenging" aspects for the HSE was wait times for healthcare, and said tackling "unacceptably long" waits in emergency departments was an area of focus. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster (Image: Gareth Chaney/Collins) The HSE annual report for 2024 analyses the health service's performance and health trends among Irish people. "Addressing waiting lists for scheduled care and unacceptably long waits in emergency departments (EDs) remains a priority focus area, especially for older people and those with complex needs," Mr Gloster said in the foreword. "My plan for 2025 is to continue to bring trolley numbers down and to improve how our health and social care system works across seven days to allow consistent access to care." Requests for assessments of need for children spiked by 26 per cent last year compared to a year previous, and were 33 per cent above expected demand in 2024. There were 8,400 such requests in 2023 and more than 10,600 in 2024, in figures which had previously been shared by Children's Minister Norma Foley in the Dail. Norma Foley (Image: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos) Although there was a slight uptake on the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine compared to the previous year, the 89.9 per cent figure was below the target for 2024. The chairman of the HSE's board, Ciaran Devane, said in an introductory statement to the report that Ireland's population is ageing "faster than that of any other country in the EU". Since 2015, the number of people aged 65 years and over has increased by 37 per cent. Although life expectancy in Ireland, at 82.6 years, is ahead of the EU average, the burden of cancer is higher and accounts for a quarter of all deaths of those aged over 65. Mr Gloster, who is to step down from his role in March 2026, said 2024 was a year of "real progress". "We reduced the number of people waiting on trolleys by over 10 per cent, expanded community services and improved access to scheduled care with an additional 24,000 patients seen within target timeframes. "Our focus in 2025 will be to build on this momentum, improve patient flow and continue to reform how care is delivered across seven days." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
