Department Reminds All Poultry and Bird Keepers to Register or Update their Registration Details

PRESS RELEASE FROM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 27th MARCH 2017

Due to the continued findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild birds in Ireland and the ongoing situation with the disease in poultry and wild birds in Europe, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is reminding any poultry keeper, or owner of other birds* who is not already registered with the Department to apply for registration immediately. In addition all those who are already registered are asked to update their registration details.

Anyone who keeps poultry, who deals or trades in poultry, including those persons who keep small numbers of poultry for their own use,  are legally bound to register their premises with the Department under the Control on Places where Poultry are kept Regulations 2014 (S.I. 114 of 2014). Persons that own other birds such as racing pigeons, aviary birds or other captive birds are also encouraged to register with the Department.

In order to ensure that the Department’s poultry register is accurate and up to date a temporary, dedicated Poultry Registration and Update Unit has been established. The unit may be contacted on lo-call 0761 064449 or by e mailing PoultryRegUpdate@agriculture.gov.ie. You should contact the Poultry Registration and Update unit if:

• You keep poultry or other birds and are not already registered with the Department
• You are already registered but you wish to change or update your registration details
• You are already registered but are unsure whether your registration details are accurate.

Staff from the unit will be able to provide you with information on the registration process, application forms for registration (form PR1, 2017) and they will be able to check the accuracy of your current registration details.

Application forms for registration (form PR1, 2017) may also be obtained from any the following sources:

• The Department’s website at:     http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/avianinfluenzanews/,
• The Department’s Regional Veterinary offices, the contact details of which can be found at agriculture.gov.ie/contact

All registration forms must be completed in full by the keeper, signed and the original form must be posted to the Poultry Registration and Update Unit at the following address:

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Poultry Registration and Update Unit

Michael Davitt House

Castlebar

Co. Mayo.

It is very important that all premises where poultry and birds are kept are registered with the Department so that owners can be alerted quickly in the event of a disease outbreak and given advice on the control measures that must be put in place to protect poultry flocks and reduce the risk of disease spread.

Further information and advice on poultry registration and the current situation with avian influenza is available on the DAFM website at:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/avianinfluenzanews/