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THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 6 2017


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Bird flu map confusion


A THREE kilometre Protection


Zone and 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone for avian flu appears to be centred in the wrong place, an investigation by our reporter Alan Evans has revealed. The Herald visited Pontyberem to


try and speak to the owners of poultry which had been locally identified as the source of the outbreak, but they were not available for comment. We also visited Hirawaun Isaf, in Pontyberem, a large scale egg production company which keeps chickens. The owner of that establishment


was not available for comment. The gates were closed and there was no sign of any chickens in the outdoors area. During our journey around


Pontyberem and into neighbouring villages of Bancffosfelin and Crwbin, which fall within the reported protected zone, we were unable to find any signage which gave notice or warning of Avian Flu. Looking into the back gardens of


some homes from the roadside, we saw chickens in the open, despite the potential health threat to them. We spoke to two people who keep


chickens in the village who said that they had purchased disinfectant and were using that as a precautionary measure when entering or leaving the pens. Following further information


provided by local residents, The Herald discovered that the outbreak was not in Pontyberem, as reported on the Defra site and in other media, but in Pontyates at a property where chickens have been kept for egg laying purposes only. The Herald spoke to some residents


near the property in Pontyates and they told us that following the cull of the infected birds, the owners had been advised to contain the feeding of chickens to an indoor area as it is suspected that feed thrown onto a field had attracted ducks and other wild birds, which may have been infected with avian flu. The contradictory information


on the locality of the outbreak is particularly troubling. Given the location cited was wrong or certainly ambiguous, and given that the 3km protected zone epicentre was gauged from that location, it may have led people who were unknowingly in the true 3km zone to believe they were safe.


Alan Evans alan.evans@herald.email We now understand that the 3km


zone extends as far as Pontyates, Four Roads, Pontantwn, Mynnyddygarreg, Crwbin, Llangyndeyrn, Bancffosfelen and Heol y Ban. The 10km Surveillance Zone


extends as far as Kidwelly, Ferryside, Pontyberem, Cwm Mawr, Tumble, Llanddarog, Cwmisfael, Crosshands, Ffoelgastell, Cefneithin, Porthyrhyd, Cwmffrwd, Idole, Croesyceilliog, Llansaint, Llandyfaelog, Ponthenri, Carway, Trimsaran, Five Roads and Burry Port. It appears that, in this instance, the


information given to the public was inaccurate. The Herald


contacted


Carmarthenshire County Council to find out what measures they are taking to inform poultry owners within the 3km zone. We also asked if they had


records of poultry owners in the 3km zone and if they would be making the geographical position of the affected property known in order that the public are aware of the boundaries of both the 3km zone and the 10km zone. We were referred to the Welsh


Government. We asked for the location of the


epicentre of the infection and we were told that we could not have that information despite having provided the location of the previous instance of avian flu in Carmarthenshire very quickly. When we pressed the issue, pointing out both the inconsistency and the public interest elements of providing accurate information to the public, we were told we would not be given the location. The Welsh Government did provide an interactive map which can be seen on our website - www.llanelliherald.com. The map is centred on Pontyberem.


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