By Debbie James

A question mark hangs over plans to host a two-day national poultry show in Haverfordwest next month after the Welsh government suspended all poultry gatherings due to the avian flu alert.

The Welsh National Poultry Weekend is due to take place at the Pembrokeshire Showground on January 14 and 15 and there has been a record entry of nearly 2,000 birds.

But the Welsh government announced on Tuesday (December 20) that there would be a temporary suspension of gatherings of some species of birds, although this could be lifted ahead of the show at Haverfordwest.

It comes after the whole of Wales was declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone following the confirmation of the H5N8 strain of avian influenza at a turkey farm in Lincolnshire.

Alan Davies, secretary of the Dyfed Poultry Society, which is organising the show, said he had not received direct notification of the suspension but said the news had cast doubt on whether the show could go ahead.

“We were due to start setting the show up on December 27,’’ he said. “We always apply for a licence to hold the show so we would expect to hear from the animal health department if the event couldn’t go ahead but today’s news is worrying. We will have to wait to see what develops.’’

Wales’s environment and rural affairs secretary, Lesley Griffiths, said the ban on gatherings applied to poultry, including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, and restricts events such as livestock fairs, auctions and bird shows.

These arrangements will be kept under review and may be lifted or amended if the risk level changes, with obvious implications for the show at Haverfordwest.

The show is affiliated to the Poultry Club of Great Britain, a registered charity, that promotes high standards in the keeping and breeding of pure-bred poultry.

The ban on gatherings is in addition to the requirement for for all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds, and reinforce biosecurity measures on their premises.

Ms Griffiths said the ban was an additional measure aimed at protecting poultry flocks and other domestic birds from the disease.

“I would encourage all poultry keepers, including those with fewer than 50 birds, to provide details of their flocks to the Poultry Register. This will ensure they can be contacted immediately in the event of an avian disease outbreak so that they can take action to protect their flock at the earliest opportunity,’’ she said.

Even when birds are housed, there remains a risk of infection and keepers of poultry and other captive birds should ensure that every effort is made to prevent contact with wild birds.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Christianne Glossop, said biosecurity should never be compromised. “The movement of poultry should be minimised, and clothing and equipment should always be disinfected,’’ she said.