Avian influenza biosecurity advice for shoots and participants
This guide provides practical advice on biosecurity measures designed to help prevent the introduction and spread of avian influenza within gamebird release, and shooting environments.
Biosecurity guidance for game shooters
Why biosecurity matters for those who shoot game
As someone attending a game shoot, what you do (or don’t do) can significantly affect biosecurity. Good biosecurity helps protect biodiversity, uphold high standards of gamebird and wildlife management, and safeguard the long-term future of game shooting and the rural communities whose livelihoods are closely linked to it.
Simple biosecurity measures can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of spreading disease and invasive species. We’ve summarised some of them below, but a more comprehensive guide can be found here.
What to do before the shoot
A few days before the shoot, check any biosecurity guidance or requirements provided by the shoot organiser and familiarise yourself with them. During periods of increased disease risk, such as an avian influenza outbreak, check whether any Disease Control Zones or Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZs) are in place. You can stay informed by signing up for APHA disease alerts or checking the BASC avian influenza webpage.
Where additional disease control measures are in place, if you and/or your dog have been on areas such as known infected sites, you should not attend or work on another shoot until satisfied that you have eliminated the potential for spreading disease.
Ensure your boots, clothing, vehicles and equipment are clean before travelling to the shoot, and be prepared to follow any additional biosecurity measures requested by the organiser.
What to do on the shoot
Use the hygiene facilities provided, including foot dips, brushes and disinfectant where required, and follow the organiser’s instructions on vehicle access, cleaning procedures and any other measures in place.
Avoid entering sensitive areas, such as where laying birds are kept, unless access is essential and you have been authorised to do so.
APHA notes that dogs are not known to become infected with avian influenza from retrieving shot wildfowl or gamebirds. However, scavenging species such as foxes have previously been infected. As a sensible precaution, do not feed dogs uncooked shot or culled birds, and prevent them from eating dead wild birds.
What to do after the shoot
Before leaving the shoot, clean and disinfect your footwear using the foot dips provided where available. It may not always be possible to clean vehicles before leaving, but they should be cleaned and disinfected before attending another shoot or visiting locations where birds are kept. Clothing and footwear should also be cleaned between shoots.
When taking game home, keep it in an appropriate container, such as a plastic tray, that can be easily cleaned, ready for correct processing.
Following good biosecurity practice — before, during and after a shoot — is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of diseases and invasive species, helping to protect both wild and kept birds.
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Biosecurity guidance for gamekeepers and shoot managers
Good biosecurity helps protect biodiversity, uphold high standards of gamebird and wildlife management, and safeguard the long-term future of game shooting and the rural communities whose livelihoods are closely linked to them.
Disease risks to Deer
Wild deer in the UK tend to be very disease-free. However, there are some specific examples of disease that we should all be aware of and ready to deal with if found.