A BASC gamekeeper member, who is based within the current avian flu surveillance zone, has successfully applied for a specific movement licence from his Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) which allows him to take delivery of day old chicks.
The issuing of this licence is a culmination of hard work from the member at a local level working with the vets at his LDCC and the work BASC is doing with key decision makers at Defra.
Following the outbreak near Banbury BASC was asked by Defra to provide local examples of potential problems that the movement restrictions would cause. BASC contacted gamekeeper members within the zones and were able to highlight to Defra the problems this member was facing. After working with Defra officials in London, they agreed that at this time during the outbreak the licences could be issued through the LDCC.
Gamekeeping and game shooting officer, Tom Blades, said: “This outbreak during the rearing seasons has presented new challenges but this is yet another positive outcome of the significant and ongoing work BASC has been doing on avian flu. BASC will continue to educate key decision makers on the implications of each outbreak and ensure that shooting interests are not disproportionately affected.”
ENDS