The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced that, starting next month, it will implement additional preventive measures to prevent the spread of the bird influenza virus, in light of the discovery this week of high risks due to the spread of cases in Europe, especially in wild birds, migratory movements and low temperatures. Specifically, among the measures are the confinement of poultry in areas considered to be of special risk and surveillance, in a total of 1,199 municipalities,
The affected areas are located in Andalusia (197), Aragon (128), Canary Islands (1), Cantabria (31), Castile and Leon (250), Castilla-La Mancha (18), Catalonia (224), Community of Madrid (16), Comunidad Valenciana (138), Extremadura (99), Galicia (40), Balearic Islands (14), La Rioja (6). Navarra (12), Basque Country (6), Principality of Asturias (8), Murcia Region (11), Ceuta and Melilla.
Thus, the administration led by Luis Planas, in agreement with the autonomous communities, activated the overall protection measures against avian influenza including Order APA/2442/2006, issued on 27 July. Certain prohibitions and obligations in areas with special risks and special monitoring include the prohibition of using anseriformes and charadriformes as birds or of raising ducks and geese with other poultry birds.
It is also prohibited to raise poultry outdoors. However, Agriculture has specified that when this is not possible, the competent authority may authorize keeping poultry in the open air by placing external barriers or any other means that prevents the entry of wild birds.
In this case, the birds will go to feeding and breeding inside the facilities or in a shelter that obstructs the access of wild birds and avoids their contact with the food and water designated for the barn. On the other hand, it is also prohibited to give water to poultry from water sediments that could reach wild birds, except in cases where it has been treated to ensure inactivation of possible bird influenza viruses. Therefore, outdoor water deposits required for animal welfare reasons for some reef birds will be adequately protected against terrestrial waterfowl.
There are no birds in animal concentration centers
It also prohibits the presence of poultry or other captive bird species in animal gathering centers, including livestock events, demonstrations, exhibitions, and cultural celebrations, as well as any gathering of poultry or other captive bird species.
For the rest of the Region, Agriculture indicated the need for strict biosecurity measures on poultry farms, especially those designed to avoid contact with wild birds, as well as strengthening passive surveillance, and notifying official veterinary services as soon as possible.
On the other hand, the Ministry noted that the autonomous regions have competences in the field of animal health, which is why they can conclude other complementary measures to strengthen protection against this disease in their regions and prevent its spread.
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