By Ewan Pate, farming editor

“I AM absolutely confident that we are dealing with the situation on the ground,” said Rural Development minister Ross Finnie yesterday.

He was visiting Cellardyke to speak to residents and see for himself the site where Britain’s first confirmed case of H5N1 avian flu was found.

The minister had already been to the Perth offices to check out the administrative and testing procedures for dealing with the disease.

He also met a group of poultry farmers, including three from within the 10-kilometre surveillance zone which surrounds Cellardyke.

“I was pleased at the proportionate response which the producers are showing,” said Mr Finnie.

“I accept that there is a burden on them.

“They are applying all the appropriate biosecurity measures and I am hopeful that the outbreak can be contained.

“I also want to reassure local people that the situation is not posing a risk to human health.”

Mr Finnie revealed that the SEERAD field staff would be working in two teams.

Agricultural staff would be working ahead, fanning out from the immediate three-kilometre protection zone checking on the accuracy of the poultry register.

They would be followed up by veterinary teams who would be inspecting premises and taking “statistically acceptable samples.”

Initially, this will be from the inner three-kilometre surveillance zone and the outer 10-kilometre protection zone.

NFUS president John Kinnaird, who was accompanying the minister on his tour, said, “Hopefully it will go no further than one dead swan.”

Answering questions from the large media contingent which has set up camp at Cellardyke, Mr Kinnaird completely resisted calls for a cull of poultry in the surrounding area.

Nor did he consider vaccination as a way forward.

However, if there was to be an outbreak on any poultry unit he would expect a rapid cull to “burn it out.”

Although there was no sign of market weakness, Mr Kinnaird said there had been a dramatic effect in some other countries and that he would anticipate market support measures being put in place here if need be.

In the meantime, Mr Kinnaird urged poultry producers in the newly announced wild bird risk area to heed Government requirements to move outdoor flocks under cover.

It is believed that there are 260,000 head of free range birds in the new area, which is bounded by the M90 from the Forth bridge up to Perth and then by the A90 from Perth to Stonehaven.

Mr Finnie had already explained the thinking behind the extent of the 2500-square kilometre wild bird risk area.

“It was important to include Montrose Basin because although most of the mute swan population there is sedentary it includes around 12 swans which migrate in from the continent.

“With the natural range of bird movements across the coastal area it was felt that covering the area from the Forth to Stonehaven was appropriate.”

Asked what level of compulsion there was for free-range producers to bring birds inside, Mr Finnie said that an order would be made if it was felt necessary. At the moment it is a request.

“However, these flocks are at risk and it would be highly imprudent not to protect them from contact with wild birds,” he said.

The need to house free-range birds includes even very small domestic flocks.

It might involve using netting or temporary shelters to keep a separation from wild birds.

Polytunnels are an option but only if the weather remains cool, according to SEERAD guidelines.

Shooting is still allowed in the wild bird risk area but not the use of live decoys.

Advice on biosecurity measures is available on the NFUS website, www.nfus.org.uk

Advice on all avian flu matters is available on a Scottish Executive helpline 0131 244 0404.

This is distinct from the helpline for reporting sightings of dead birds which is 08459 335577.

* Euro MPs approved last night by emergency procedure EU Commission plans to amend EU legislation so that it can provide aid to support the EU poultry market.