Trading Standards have sought to remind poultry owners of their responsibilities after a bird flu outbreak was detected at a gamebird farm elsewhere in the country.

A council spokeserson said: “Following the recent confirmed case of Avian Flu in Leven, Glenrothes we would like to remind all poultry keepers in East Ayrshire to keep up to date with the current guidance and ensure they have taken all the required action.

“The restrictions, which have been in place since December, affect ALL poultry keepers, not just commercial flocks. We would like to highlight that it is ALL keepers as some keepers of small domestic flocks may not have been aware that the restrictions apply to them.

“The advice from Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer is that evidence from the continent and ongoing high numbers of findings among wild bird populations in the UK, indicate that the risk of incursion of avian influenza remains very high for wild birds, medium for poultry with high biosecurity, and high for poultry with poor biosecurity.

“Poultry must be kept separated from the wild bird populations to try and stop the spread of avian flu.”