GAMEKEEPERS on Anglesey say they have not received any advice or information on avian 'flu, and are concerned about what the future holds for their birds and businesses. This is in spite of the Assembly-introduced emergency legislation on October 28 to ban bird markets, shows and similar gatherings in Wales in light of the threat of avian 'flu. The ban will now remain effective until the end of the year. The French government has gone a step further and ordered that all poultry and game birds be locked indoors, a measure now being considered by other European states. In Britain, birdwatchers, wetlands and wildfowl organisations, and game shooting groups have been asked to look out for large numbers of unusual deaths in bird species. Island gamekeepers say they are currently carrying on as normal. An owner of one local shooting business which buys gamebirds from a mainland source said: "We haven't received any guidelines or information about new legislation, and don't know anyone in the same circles who have." Asked whether they were worried about the possible threat of avian 'flu, he said: "As a business you've got to be optimistic, but such a mess was made of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, so who knows what could happen. "Publicity and the press do tend to whip these things up and make people worry and it has not been proved that the disease will spread here so we will just carry on as normal." The Assembly says the new emergency legislation in Wales is necessary to meet new commitments. These result from two European Commission decisions made previous to the ban, designed to put in place measures to stop any spread of avian influenza. Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside Carwyn Jones said: "Although the risk of incursion of avian influenza into the UK is still classified as low, the global risk of spread is now regarded as high. We must therefore do everything we can to protect our birds. "We have introduced emergency legislation to ban bird markets, shows and similar gatherings until the end of this year. "I know that this will disappoint those who take part, but I am sure keepers understand that this is the only responsible option at the moment." The new legislation also gives the Assembly the option to require keepers to keep feed and drink for poultry under cover, and to house poultry away from wild birds. It also makes it an obligation on keepers to inform the State Veterinary Service of any signs of disease or drop in condition of birds, and to require vaccination of birds in zoos. The use of these measures are to be considered based on regular reviews of world and domestic situation and veterinary risk assessment according to the government. | 
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