Recent isolated cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in released pheasants highlights the importance of good biosecurity and vigilance amongst all those involved in game management. It is important to remember that HPAI is spread by wild birds and there is no evidence to suggest the origin of any outbreaks to date is released gamebirds. Like farmed poultry, captive gamebirds can be susceptible if they come in to contact with infected wild birds.
It is of grave concern, that outbreaks of HPAI, especially in sea birds, continue and the game management sector takes very seriously the threat posed by (HPAI) to the UK’s precious wild bird populations. DEFRA has already acted to ban releasing of gamebirds in all control zones, and businesses that wish to release them outside zones are required to maintain stringent biosecurity standards and report any signs of avian influenza to minimise the spread of disease. This is standard good practice on game shoots.
There is a risk of any further restrictions on gamebird management being counterproductive in terms of the negative impact on wild bird conservation. It could lead to a reduction in activities including habitat provision and management, supplementary feeding and targeted predation management, all of which have been scientifically proven to deliver significant biodiversity benefits to the British countryside. For example, a long-term study at the GWCT’s demonstration farm in Leicestershire showed that the removal of game management led to a 50% reduction in farmland bird numbers. When the fact that shooting is involved in the management of two-thirds of the UK’s rural landscapes is taken into account, the potentially devasting impact becomes clear.
In addition, the loss of the significant contribution by game management enterprises to local community and economy must be considered and the danger of exacerbating the current cost of living crisis for many in economically Less Favoured Areas.
In order to help minimise the risks to businesses posed by HPAI, the Aim to Sustain Working Group on Avian Influenza is looking at how to further advise the sector on biosecurity. In the meantime, comprehensive DEFRA advice on HPAI is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu