New laws make it easier to put avian flu restrictions in place

DEFA received support for updated legislation in Tynwald

New laws to allow avian flu restrictions to be put in place before cases of the disease are confirmed will help prevent an outbreak.

That's the hope of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, after changes to the current legislation were approved in Tynwald.

Previously, government had been unable to put in place an avian influenza prevention zone, unless infected birds had been identified.

DEFA member Dr Michelle Haywood says this will help limit the impact the illness is having on the Island's bird population: