Royal Welsh Show: Bird flu case ‘highlights need for biosecurity push’
©FLPA/Rex All 600 bird exhibits at the Royal Welsh Show have been examined for signs of bird flu following a confirmed case in Lancashire.
Wales’ chief veterinary officer Christianne Glossop said officials and exhibitors at the show were on high alert for signs of the disease after the case at a farm in Goosnargh, Preston.
“On Sunday afternoon, we had a team of vets here vetting every single bird into the show,’’ she said.
See also: Culling gets under way at Lancs bird flu farm
Dr Glossop was speaking at the show during the launch of a new film promoting the benefits of good biosecurity on farms.
The film was part of a strategy to encourage farmers to do everything they possibly can to protect their livestock from infection, she said.
Although farmers had become more biosecurity-aware in the 10 years since Dr Glossop had come into post, she said much more needed to be done.
“When I first visited farms I noticed a common feature – a brand new sparkly bucket filled with frothy disinfectant.
“It made me smile that farmers acknowledged how seriously I took biosecurity, but sad that they regarded biosecurity as a bucket of disinfectant and a pair of wellies.’’
She hoped farmers would find the new Lantra-produced film a useful tool for reducing infection risk.
“For every single barrier you put in place that’s one step towards better levels of protection.’’
The film can be viewed at the Welsh Food and Drink Skills project’s website, although registration is required before it will play.