As the threat of avian influenza grows in Devon, Defra has issued new guidance on mitigating the impact of the disease. The guidance aims to support land managers, the public and ornithological and environmental organisations in their response to the threat of bird flu, working alongside government action to monitor the disease.

Bird flu was confirmed in Ashburton and Dartington last month, while cases in Torbay and East Devon have been reported much more recently.

The ‘Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales’ sets out how different stakeholders, together with the government and its delivery partners, can mitigate the impact of avian influenza on wild bird populations whilst protecting public health, the wider environment and the rural economy.

The new guidance advises land managers on how to make natural areas safe for the public, for example by adding signage warning visitors of the risk of avian influenza and what they can do to protect themselves, and having contingency plans in place to allow them to quickly respond to outbreaks.

This new guidance comes after Defra announced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the South West. This means that there is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to implement enhanced biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks and mitigate the risk of further outbreaks.

Defra Biosecurity Minister, Lord Benyon said: ‘Our wild birds are facing exceptional pressures from avian flu this year and we have seen the tragic effect it has had – particularly on our seabird colonies. I very much share concerns about the impact avian influenza is likely to have on breeding populations of wild birds in the future, particularly those that nest in large numbers and represent some of our rarer species.

‘We are funding a science programme to try and better understand how avian influenza is spreading in wild birds and today’s guidance will help land managers, ornithologists and the public manage some of the issues we are facing. We will continue to work closely with partners to consider any further action we can take.’