Latest news with #BrianDooher
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bird flu restrictions to be lifted in NI this weekend
Restrictions to protect against bird flu in Northern Ireland will end at midday on Saturday, 31 means poultry gatherings are once again allowed to take place after the lifting of compulsory housing measures on 10 arrangements in the Republic of Ireland will be lifted at the same Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was put in place in January following the confirmation of the virus in wild birds. In February, there were three outbreaks of bird flu in commercial poultry premises in County Tyrone around the time of a housing was the first time the disease had been detected in a commercial setting since December Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said the measures had "undoubtedly limited the spread" of the disease."Thanks to the determined efforts from the poultry sector in Northern Ireland to protect their flocks and minimise the impact of disease, we are now in a position to lift the AIPZ and reduce all mandatory restrictions placed on bird keepers," he said."I'm sure this will be welcome news for the sector which contributes greatly to our economy and wider society."Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher warned against complacency, saying "lower risk does not mean no risk".He added that "the need for stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures are still of paramount importance to help prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to poultry."I would urge all bird keepers to continue to implement the biosecurity measures of the AIPZ as they have been doing."
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
NI farming: New blueprint to eradicate bovine TB published
"All sectors" are committed to a new blueprint to eradicate bovine TB in Northern Ireland, according to the Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Dooher has published the TB Partnership Steering Group's (TBPSG) Blueprint for Bovine TB Eradication in Northern group includes representatives from the farming, veterinary, environmental, wildlife, animal processing and market sector report published outlines actions to be taken over the short, medium and longer term, based on three pillars – people, cattle, and wildlife. It will create a number of pilots, including testing a regional approach, extending the testing window, and a focus on herds with prolonged and recurring it does not commit to any precise form of wildlife intervention, such as a badger it will "bring forward proposals for effective, evidence-based wildlife interventions and TBPSG views for consideration by Minister".Legislation will then be required to allow any preferred approach to be implemented. 'Change is required' The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the blueprint."We cannot continue on the current path," he said."Change is required and this ambitious blueprint provides us with a clear and decisive way forward to finally setting Northern Ireland on the pathway to eradication."The TBPSG was established after the Chief Veterinary Officer published his review of bTB in Northern Ireland in November the time, farming representatives dismissed they later helped form the TBPSG which has brought forward this blueprint. 'A new step' CVO Brian Dooher said it marked "a new step" in the fight against BTB."It details the immediate actions which must now progress and also provides a roadmap of medium and longer-term areas where continued collaborative working between government and our stakeholders will be essential if we are to deliver the real change now required in our efforts to fight bTB."In the foreword, the TBPSG noted that the blueprint is founded on the principle that eradicating this disease requires a unified, multisectoral approach. "It acknowledges where further engagement and assessment is needed and recognises that eradication will take time but provides the framework where eradication of bTB can now be realistically advanced."A bTB eradication programme has been in place in Northern Ireland since the herd incidence is now at almost 11% and costs have risen dramatically, particularly due to compensation for the increasing value of affected slaughtered final figures are still being calculated, the programme is expected to have cost £60 million in 2024/25 with the majority going towards compensation.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
16,000 chickens to be culled amid suspected bird flu outbreak
A FURTHER 16,000 birds are to be culled in Tyrone following another suspected case of Avian Flu (AI). The outbreak has been detected at a commercial poultry unit in Pomeroy, and swift action is being taken to control the spread of the disease. It comes after around 64,000 birds were culled at a commercial premises near Dungannon a week ago. This was the first instance of the disease in a commercial setting since December 2021. Speaking on the most recent outbreak, a spokesman from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said: "(We) are investigating a further suspected case of notifiable Avian Influenza in a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, Co Tyrone. "Preliminary test results indicate the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). "In light of the initial positive findings, Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) have been established. All poultry at the site will be humanely culled." AI control measures are currently in place across Northern Ireland, which includes housing of all commercial and backyard flocks. As a precaution, organisers of the Balmoral Show have cancelled all poultry classes at the event in May. Agriculture Minister, Andrew Muir, said: "'A further suspect case of notifiable Avian Influenza was reported on Saturday, February 22 at a commercial poultry premises with nearly 16,000 birds. "Preliminary results suggesting HPAI. This suspected incursion following the recently confirmed case in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, reinforces that we cannot afford to be complacent. "It is imperative that all bird owners adhere to stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flock and report any suspicious cases immediately.' Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, urged poultry keepers to maintain high biosecurity to contain the spread of the disease. 'The current disease control measures have been introduced to limit any potential spread of the disease," Mr. Dooher said. "I urge all bird keepers, whether commercial or backyard, to maintain high biosecurity standards and fully comply with all requirements that have implemented to control this devastating disease.'
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thousands more birds to be culled after suspected avian flu
A suspected case of avian flu is under investigation at a commercial poultry premises in County Tyrone. Almost 16,000 birds at the site near Pomeroy will be culled. Temporary Control Zones have been established around premises, placing restrictions on the movement of poultry, captive birds and poultry products. It comes after around 64,000 birds were culled at a commercial poultry farm near Dungannon a week ago. That was the first incursion of the disease into a commercial setting since December 2021. The poultry industry in Northern Ireland is worth £0.6 billion to the economy here. All owned flocks in Northern Ireland, whether commercial, captive or backyard hobby birds, are currently under a housing order to try to prevent the disease affecting the sector. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said preliminary tests at the Pomeroy farm on Saturday indicated the presence of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza strain H5N1. "This suspected incursion following the recently confirmed case in Dungannon, County Tyrone, reinforces that we cannot afford to be complacent," he said. "It is imperative that all bird owners adhere to stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flock and report any suspicious cases immediately." The Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher urged all owners to "fully comply" with all the requirements that have been implemented to try to control the disease. On Friday, the organisers of the Balmoral Show announced that there would be no poultry competitions this year, amid concern that the housing order may not be lifted in time to allow them to happen. Instead, a small display of birds from a single flock will be held as part of the Show. No poultry competitions at Balmoral Show due to bird flu Tens of thousands of birds being culled over suspected avian flu Avian flu housing order to be introduced in NI
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thousands more birds to be culled after suspected avian flu
A suspected case of avian flu is under investigation at a commercial poultry premises in County Tyrone. Almost 16,000 birds at the site near Pomeroy will be culled. Temporary Control Zones have been established around premises, placing restrictions on the movement of poultry, captive birds and poultry products. It comes after around 64,000 birds were culled at a commercial poultry farm near Dungannon a week ago. That was the first incursion of the disease into a commercial setting since December 2021. The poultry industry in Northern Ireland is worth £0.6 billion to the economy here. All owned flocks in Northern Ireland, whether commercial, captive or backyard hobby birds, are currently under a housing order to try to prevent the disease affecting the sector. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said preliminary tests at the Pomeroy farm on Saturday indicated the presence of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza strain H5N1. "This suspected incursion following the recently confirmed case in Dungannon, County Tyrone, reinforces that we cannot afford to be complacent," he said. "It is imperative that all bird owners adhere to stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flock and report any suspicious cases immediately." The Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher urged all owners to "fully comply" with all the requirements that have been implemented to try to control the disease. On Friday, the organisers of the Balmoral Show announced that there would be no poultry competitions this year, amid concern that the housing order may not be lifted in time to allow them to happen. Instead, a small display of birds from a single flock will be held as part of the Show. No poultry competitions at Balmoral Show due to bird flu Tens of thousands of birds being culled over suspected avian flu Avian flu housing order to be introduced in NI
