Bird flu move ‘not ban on British imports’

THE measures introduced last weekend by the Department of Agriculture and Food following an outbreak of a mild strain of avian flu on a farm in Wales is not an import ban on poultry from Britain.

But it is a ban on participating in shows and gatherings in Ireland of poultry other than racing pigeons and other captive birds imported from Britain since May 1, the department clarified in a statement yesterday.

Pointing out that a reciprocal arrangement applies on both sides of the border, it said there is no prohibition on poultry from Northern Ireland from participating in shows here and vice versa.