Clarification of GB Poultry Register requirements

UK - On 9 December 2005 Government established the GB Poultry Register, with the support of many organisations supporting the interests of poultry keepers. The purpose of the register is to establish more accurately the locations of poultry flocks.

1 February 2006

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Clarification of GB Poultry Register requirements - UK - On 9 December 2005 Government established the GB Poultry Register, with the support of many organisations supporting the interests of poultry keepers. The purpose of the register is to establish more accurately the locations of poultry flocks.

Whilst we already have information on the location of poultry premises on a number of different databases, it is important that the information is available in a central database to help quick and effective control of an Avian Influenza outbreak. We will use the information for:

modelling disease spread scenarios to assess impact of disease spread. This will help enhance our contingency planning
communicating with poultry keepers to provide them with guidance, for example biosecurity or housing, if the threat of disease increases

Who has to register?

By law you must register if you own or are responsible for a commercial poultry premises with 50 or more birds. This requirement also applies even if the premises is only stocked with 50 or more birds for part of the year.

Failure to register your commercial poultry is an offence, and will not help protect your birds. You have until 28th February 2006 to register. Premises with fewer than 50 birds are not legally required to register but are strongly encouraged to do so now, on a voluntary basis.

To register call the freephone 0800 634 1112 (Lines will be open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm, on Saturday and Sunday), or dowload a registration form from the Poultry Register website.

Poultry keepers are requested to act responsibly, irrespective of the size of their flock. All poultry keepers are responsible for the health and welfare of their birds at all times. Poultry keepers should look out for signs of disease and to report suspicions to veterinary authorities. Biosecurity advice is available on Defra's website, and should be followed at all times.