Service Description: The Animal Health & Welfare section is located within Trading Standards, and relates to the health and welfare of farmed animals. The Animal Health & Welfare inspectorate is responsible for the enforcement of animal health and welfare legislation, with a view to reducing disease risks to both animal and human health. The Animal Health section can advise on record keeping requirements for livestock movements, births and deaths, livestock identification, animal transport, biosecurity, disposal of animal by-products (including animal carcasses) and animal health and disease control measures. We work closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - more information is available from their website below. To report welfare concerns for farmed animals outside office hours, telephone defra duty vet on 0118 959 6695
Also known as:- Animal Welfare, Avian Influenza, Bird Flu, Feed and Agriculture, Rabies Protection
Answer: The Isle of Wight Council is aware of public concerns regarding Avian Influenza. The Council Trading Standards Animal Health and Welfare section is actively updating its contingency plans for notifiable disease, including Avian Influenza. Should an outbreak occur, the animal health and welfare section has responsibility for ensuring that people comply with disease control measures, and assisting the SVS (State Veterinary Service) in the eradication programme. Should an outbreak occur, the Isle of Wight Council is prepared and ready to react. There are many types of Avian Influenza which can all cause disease in birds. Some types of virus cause only mild disease, whereas other types of virus can produce a high mortality rate in many species of bird. The only type of virus that causes concern to humans is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. This virus has shown the ability to occasionally jump the species barrier (i.e. from birds to humans). It has not shown the ability to spread between humans. The Food Standards Agency is advising that poultry meat and eggs are still safe to eat. For more information visit the DEFRA website via the related link. - Related Link