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News

Bird keepers in Wales urged to stay vigilant as avian flu cases rise

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BIRD KEEPERS across Wales are being warned to remain alert and implement biosecurity measures after a surge in avian influenza cases in poultry and kept birds across Great Britain.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has declared a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) covering East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Within the AIPZ, mandatory enhanced biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the disease from spreading further and to protect flocks.

The UK is now in a period of heightened risk from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), prompting calls for increased vigilance from Welsh bird keepers.

Biosecurity is Key

Dr Richard Irvine, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, highlighted the importance of biosecurity:
“The winter migration period significantly increases the risk to poultry and kept birds. Recent rises in confirmed cases of avian influenza in both wild and kept birds across the UK are deeply concerning.

“Maintaining scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity measures daily is the best defence against this highly infectious disease. I urge all bird keepers in Wales to act now to protect their flocks and prevent the spread of bird flu.

“Vigilance is essential. Any signs or suspicions of avian influenza in flocks must be reported immediately.”

Legal Requirements and Further Guidance

Bird keepers in Wales and England are now legally required to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). This registration allows APHA to provide timely updates and guidance during disease outbreaks, helping keepers make informed decisions to safeguard their birds.

Further advice, including a biosecurity self-assessment checklist, is available on the Welsh Government website.

The current AIPZ in England may expand, with housing measures and other mandatory protective actions under constant review as the disease situation develops.

Reporting and Resources

Dead wild birds should be reported to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77, and any suspicions of avian influenza in kept birds must be promptly reported to APHA on 0300 303 8268.

Details about current national risk levels for avian influenza, along with the evidence supporting these levels, can be found at gov.uk/birdflu. Additional information on disease control measures in England is available in Defra’s guidance, Bird flu: rules in disease control zones in England.

Zone declarations are accessible through the notifiable disease case finder.

By adopting rigorous biosecurity practices and reporting any concerns, bird keepers in Wales can help protect their flocks and reduce the spread of avian influenza.

Crime

Tenby man charged after robbery incident

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A MAN is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month after being charged in connection with a late-night incident in Tenby town centre.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that no one was injured during the disturbance, which took place at a restaurant in Tudor Square on the evening of Sunday, March 30.

Mohammed Miah, aged 44, has been charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and criminal damage.

He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, May 2.

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Farming

Pembrokeshire Show elects first joint presidents

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DAIRY FARMERS TIM AND MARGARET JOHNS HONOURED BY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

HAVERFORDWEST dairy farmers Tim and Margaret Johns have been unanimously elected as the first joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

The couple, who farm at Pencnwc in partnership with their son Graham, represent the third generation of their family to work the land. Their 550-acre holding in Castlemorris includes dairy cattle and the cultivation of both winter and spring cereals.

Margaret and Tim have a long-standing association with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the County Show. Margaret, in particular, has achieved considerable success in equestrian showing at events including Royal Windsor, the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Royal Cornwall Show. She also founded and continues to run Castlemorris Equestrian and Pet Supplies from the farm.

Speaking following their appointment, Tim said: “Margaret and I work as a partnership. The County Show is a major part of Pembrokeshire and is an integral part of farming in the county. We are looking forward to the year ahead. We have chosen RABI and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society as our charities to support over the next 12 months.”

During the Society’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr and Mrs James Evans were voted in as Presidents Elect.

Other appointments for 2025 include Miss Alys Owens, who was named as the Society’s Ambassador. Alys, who lives in Haverfordwest and works for Castell Howell, is an active member of Llysyfran YFC. She served as Club Secretary last year, a role for which she was named Club Secretary of the Year at County level. A talented musician, Alys plays the cornet with Goodwick Brass Band.

Outgoing President Adam Thorne used the occasion to thank all those who had supported him during his term in office.

Alys Owens, the 2025 Ambassador, is pictured between Margaret and Tim Johns, the 2025/26 Joint Presidents.

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News

Casualty airlifted after fall on rocks at Manorbier

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A PERSON was flown to hospital with a suspected broken ankle after falling on rocks at Manorbier on Sunday afternoon (April 13).

Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30pm, with Tenby RNLI, the Wales Air Ambulance, land paramedics, and coastguard teams from Tenby and St Govans attending.

Tenby’s inshore lifeboat launched first, with two crew members going ashore just as the air ambulance arrived to land nearby. They were soon joined by a land ambulance and coastguard rescue officers.

A stretcher was brought ashore from the all-weather lifeboat, and RNLI crew assisted in stabilising the casualty and carrying them up the beach for transfer into the waiting helicopter.

Once the airlift was complete, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

It was the third call-out of the weekend for Tenby RNLI volunteers.

The first incident took place at 2:20pm on Friday (April 11), when the all-weather lifeboat was diverted from a training exercise following a report of paddleboarders possibly in difficulty near Manorbier. As the lifeboat arrived, the paddleboarders were confirmed safe ashore and the crew resumed their exercise.

Later that evening, at 9:15pm, the lifeboat launched again to assist the operator of a seven-metre rigid inflatable boat that had broken down around a mile south of Old Castle Head. The boat was towed safely back to Freshwater East, from where it had launched earlier in the day.

(Photo: File image)

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