The poultry industry’s autumn series of avian influenza (AI) roadshows is due to open in Wales on November 11, with 10 further events planned across England and Scotland during the following five weeks.
Organised by the Poultry Health and Welfare Group, the 2016 series is designed to build on the success of last year’s roadshow programme.
“It is important for producers to attend these meetings as the threat of AI has not gone away, particularly given that the wild waterfowl migration season will soon be upon us,” said the NFU’s chief poultry adviser, Gary Ford, adding that this applied even to producers who had attended the roadshows last November and December.
“This year’s roadshows are being held in response to farmers’ feedback from the 2015 events, during which requests were made for more information on contingency planning, alongside the need for advice on what to do with contaminated litter and washdown water, etc.
“Both the APHA and the Environment Agency are speaking at this year’s events so that, between them, they can give farmers definitive advice on these important questions.”
The full programme is as follows:
- November 11 – NFU Office, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Well, Powys LD2 3TU
- 14 – Park Hotel, 29 Denmark Street, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4LE
- 15 – Lady Easwood Centre, Newark Showground, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY
- 18 – NFU Office, 207 Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York, North Yorkshire YO24 1UD
- 22 – NFU Scotland Office, Thainstone Mart, Thainstone, Inverurie AB51 5XZ
- 24 – NFU Scotland Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, Midlothian EH28 8LT
- 25 – NFU Office, Southwater Way, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4NR
- 29 – NFU Office, Pynes Hill, Rydon Lane, Exeter, Devon EX2 5ST
- December 7 – NFU Office, Rotherbrook Court, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3QG
- 14 – NFU Office, Willie Snaith Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7SN
- 15 – Stoneybeck Inn, Bowscar, Penrith CA11 8RP
Farmers will need to register, via the NFU, to ensure that venue and catering arrangement are sufficient.
The Poultry Health and Welfare Group is backed by the British Poultry Council, British Egg Industry Council, the NFU, the Game Farmers Association and the British Veterinary Poultry Association.
