Calls to ban gamebird release to avoid ‘catastrophic’ avian flu outbreak
by Severin Carrell from Environment | The Guardian on (#62BEK)
RSPB warns of risk to UK wild bird population this winter from 1 October release of captive-bred birds
Conservationists have called for ministers to ban the release of millions of gamebirds to prevent the UK's wild birds being wiped out by a catastrophic" avian flu epidemic this winter.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said there was a significant risk that pheasants, partridge and ducks released for shooting from 1 October could spread avian influenza into wild bird populations, wreaking havoc in farmland and garden birds.
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