DAERA response 'not good enough' after bird flu detected in swan near Caledon

The Chair of Mid-Ulster District Council has raised concerns over DAERA's response after Avian Influenza was detected in a number of birds near Caledon.

Last week a number of dead Whopper Swans were discovered close to Enagh Lough.

With the recent rise in Avian Influenza cases, a concerned local farmer reported the dead birds to the department.

It is understood that DAERA came out to collect two of the birds for testing, but the rest of the birds were left.

The department has since confirmed to the Courier that one of the birds has tested positive for Avian Influenza.

Despite this, DAERA has not returned to remove the other birds.

Chair of Mid-Ulster Council Frances Burton told the Tyrone Courier she was extremely frustrated by the lack of response.

“You'd think there would be a bit more urgency, considering what is going on with bird flu recently.

“People are concerned that these birds are going to cause it to spread, but more than a week after they were discovered they still haven't been removed.

“I just think it's a bit of a joke. This has the potential to cause chaos across Tyrone, and they've been told and retold, and still nothing has been done.”

In a statement to this newspaper, a DAERA spokesperson said the responsibility of removing the dead birds falls on the landowner.

READ THE FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S TYRONE COURIER.