The UK's bird flu guardians
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
Wildfowlers to help the goverment in bird flu battle
Wildfowlers heading out to the marshes for the start of the new season tomorrow will be a key element in the UK’s defence against the prospect of bird flu this winter.
Fowlers are central to the Government’s monitoring system. Dr Peter Marshall, research officer at BASC, told ST: “Monitoring of shot birds up and down the country by wildfowling clubs will hopefully help to warn us of the presence of bird flu. We’re actually running a wider shot-bird surveillance programme similar to the one we ran last year in conjunction with DEFRA. This year we’ll be surveying larger numbers of sites.
The key thing is for people to watch out for unusual numbers of dead birds — the key species being swans, duck and also geese.” If you discover die-offs involving three or more dead birds of the same species or five or more dead birds from different species in the same location, you should contact DEFRA, tel (0845) 933 5577. For more information on the disease and how it affects shooting, visit www.basc.org.uk
Gundogs Training
How can I stop my spaniel gun dog from dominating?
At the beginning my gun dog was quiet and submissive and easy to contr... Read more
Gundogs Events
Fun and birds aplenty at Trewithen
Cornish Field Trial Society novice A.V. trial at Trewithen.... Read more
Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Don't miss out on this week's 132-page Christmas special issue — packed with the very best from the world of fieldsports!
- Subscribe |
- FAQ |
- Contact us
Latest articles
Land agent cleared over RSPB pesticides claim
A land agent, with responsibility for Lord Vestey’s grouse moors ... Read more
Natural England scraps rabbit control legislation
Natural England (NE) has enraged landowners and farmers by scrapping l... Read more
Comments