AVN Web Desk
For prompt and more efficient examination of poultry for avian influenza, the UK Government has allowed veterinarians to conduct remote video inspections within the disease control zones.
The approval was granted following a four-week consultation involving the poultry industry and veterinary organizations, as 97pc of respondents backed the remote inspections.
If a confirmed case of avian influenza surfaces, control zones are established around the affected premises, imposing strict regulations on the poultry movement within that zone to curb disease spread.
Physical inspection of the birds and premises by a veterinarian is a prerequisite for the issuance of a licence by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for such movements.
The new regulations allow veterinarians in England to conduct remote video inspections for all types of pre-movement licences.
This change is expected to reduce veterinary travel time and facilitate more efficient inspections, resulting in more prompt assessment.
