The Ministry warns of the new ministerial requirements to the farms located in Cartagena, Lorquí, Mazarrón, Molina de Segura, San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, Los Alcázares and Torre Pacheco
Given the outbreaks of avian flu in several European countries, including Portugal and France, the Ministry of Agriculture has raised the risk alert in Spain and establishes a series of requirements for farms, especially in some specific areas, including highlights the obligation that they remain locked in indoor facilities. The objective is to prevent migratory birds from coming into contact with poultry farms and thus avoid contagion.
The Ministry of Agriculture has communicated the restrictions to eight municipalities included in the Region included in the special surveillance zone (annex II and III of Order APA/2442/2006) to keep chickens, ducks, turkeys or geese sheltered from the outside for prevent them from having contact with other birds. They include Cartagena, Lorquí, Mazarrón, Molina de Segura, San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, Los Alcázares and Torre Pacheco.
All this due to the need to reinforce biosecurity measures, especially those aimed at avoiding direct and indirect contact. Similarly, it insists on reinforcing passive surveillance both in poultry farms and in wild birds, notifying the official veterinary services immediately of any suspicion of disease.
Safety measures
In addition, the awareness of farmers, farm veterinarians, hunters and the entire population in general about the highly pathogenic avian threat, precautionary measures and mechanisms for reporting sick or dead birds must be increased. And it is that the increased risk has been determined both in the municipalities included as a special risk area, as well as in those of special surveillance.
Therefore, the rearing of poultry in the open air is prohibited. However, when this is not possible, maintenance may be authorized by placing, if possible, aviaries or any other device that prevents the entry of wild birds, and provided that the birds are fed and watered inside. facilities or in a refuge that prevents the arrival of wild birds.
Likewise, it is forbidden to give water to poultry from water tanks that can be accessed by wild birds, except in the event that this water is treated in order to guarantee the inactivation of possible avian influenza viruses. Tanks located outside will also be sufficiently protected against wild waterfowl.
Finally, the presence of poultry or other types of captive birds is prohibited in animal concentration centers, including livestock events, exhibitions, exhibitions and cultural celebrations, as well as any concentration of poultry or other types of birds. captive outdoors. However, this Directorate General may authorize such concentrations provided that a risk assessment is carried out that offers a favorable result.
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