PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Government listen to Welsh Conservative and farming union calls on bird flu [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 26 November 2022.

Commenting on the announcement that new biosecurity and housing requirements will be implemented for poultry and captive birds in Wales, Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, said:

“I and the farming unions have called for this housing order for over a two weeks, so I’m pleased that finally Welsh Government have used their common sense and implemented these necessary changes.

“Avian Flu is rightly a matter of serious concern. This disease does not respect borders nor traditional biosecurity methods, so our efforts to tackle this virus must be targeted, pre-emptive and proactive in response, hence my call for a housing order over a fortnight ago.

“These new measures should now provide additional shielding for commercial poultry, protecting the industry from wild birds. I just hope the Minister’s delay in implementing the changes hasn’t negatively impacted Welsh businesses.

“The Welsh Government must now turn their attention to supporting the poultry industry from further financial hardship, without further delay.”