Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has declared an all Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, but the measure is just a precaution, she says.

No cases of avian flu have been found in Wales, but a veterinary risk assessment for England and Wales shows that the risk level for disease in wild birds has increased from Medium to High, while the risk associated with direct and indirect transmission to poultry has also increased from Low to Medium. The risk to poultry, however, is dependent on the level of biosecurity at individual sites.

The Prevention Zone came into force on January 25.

The prevention zone will require all keepers of poultry and other captive birds, irrespective of how they are kept, to take what the government describes as 'appropriate and practicable steps', such as minimising movement of people in bird enclosures and disinfecting footwear.

Keepers with more than 500 birds will also be required to take some extra biosecurity measures, including restricting access to non-essential people, changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles.

Lesley Griffiths said: "Although we have had, as yet, no findings of Avian Influenza in 2018, I consider this Prevention Zone and the requirement for enhanced biosecurity to be proportionate to the risk level faced in Wales. It is essential we take steps to protect our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy in Wales."

Chief Veterinary Officer Christianne Glossop said: "All keepers of poultry and other captive birds will need to comply with the requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. Keepers must remain vigilant for signs of disease and practice the very highest levels of biosecurity.

"I strongly encourage all poultry keepers, even those with fewer than 50 birds, to provide their details to the Poultry Register. This will ensure they can be contacted immediately, via email or text update, in an avian disease outbreak, enabling them to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity and minimise the spread of infection."

Avian influenza is a notifiable disease and any suspicion should be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Information on the requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, guidance and latest developments are all available on the Welsh Government website.