BAN ON BIRDS AND GAME AT LOCAL FAIRS AND MARKETS

By Humphrey Carter THE Albufera natural park near Alcudia was yesterday declared a “high risk” bird flu zone while the exhibition of birds at agricultural fairs, markets and public places is prohibited in the Balearics from today. The Balearic Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Margalida Moner, announced yesterday that, in accordance with a new European Union resolution to combat bird flu, birds are banned from all public events from today and until December 1. The ban, was not due to come into effect until the weekend. It was brought forward with the full approval of all sectors involved because of the isolated cases of bird flu discovered in Europe, directly applies to both traders and exhibitors. However, the Minister, for the moment, ruled out taking preventative measures in the event of a possible outbreak of bird flu. She has however, advised all farm workers to have the flu vaccine and to poultry, especially geese and duck, farmers to try and keep their birds inside their coops to stop them from flying away. The National Emergency Health Committee yesterday released its list of 18 “high risk” bird flu zones in Spain - one of which is the Albufera natural park between Alcudia and C'an Picafort in the north east of Majorca. Around each of these 18 hot spots, a 10 kilometre bird breeding ban is to be enforced to prevent local flocks of birds from coming into contact with migratory species. As a result, poultry and game farmers in Santa Margalida, Muro, Sa Pobla, Alcudia and Pollensa will have to keep their birds inside until further notice. What is more the Balearic government warned yesterday that it may expand the restrictions to other marsh areas and wet lands in the region if needed.