All poultry flocks in Wales may need to be officially registered under new government plans to curb the spread of avian influenza.

Currently, flocks of less than 50 birds are don’t need to be registered but this has made it difficult to track and manage the spread of disease.

A consultation has now been launched seeking to change that with a requirement for all keepers to register their birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and update information annually.

It follows a recommendation in the 2018 Dame Glenys Stacey Review and lessons identified during previous disease outbreaks.

The rules would cover backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeon keepers and would require owners to provide information including their contact details, the location of where birds are kept and the species and number of birds and what they are kept for.

In a joint statement, the Chief Veterinary Officers of Wales, England and Scotland said registration would provide a full picture of the number and location of birds kept in Great Britain and would make it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease.

The consultation will run until May 31.

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