23/08/2024
New Scottish legislation now requires bird keepers to register where they keep their birds, in the interests of protecting them and the general public from notifiable avian diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease. This follows a major increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) around the UK since late 2021, including a significant number of home-owned flocks, as well as a growing risk for diseases transmitting from animals to humans.
Following a UK-wide consultation in 2023, all owners, commercial or otherwise, of the following birds must now officially register their locations, even if they only have a single bird:
• geese
• ducks
• chickens
• turkeys
• birds of prey
• pigeons, and
• other captive birds (including pets)
Exceptions to the above are birds from the parrot family, including budgerigars, and perching birds such as jays and finches, which have no outdoor access and are kept within a fully enclosed structure.
Keepers in Scotland have between 1 September and 1 December 2024 to register the location of their birds on the new Scottish Kept Bird Register (SKBR) – anyone with birds previously registered on the GB Poultry Register will also be required to re-register on the SKBR during the above period.
By registering, keepers will ensure they are kept updated with relevant information such as any local avian disease outbreaks and other information around biosecurity to help protect themselves and their flocks.
More information about the SKBR is available from http://www.gov.scot/register-your-birds.
