Wishing all of our clients a Mery Christmas & a Happy New Year
Goodbye 2021 and Hello 2022!
After 2020, we didn’t think 2021 could have any more surprises in store for us! Yet throughout this year and across the poultry industry, we have been grappling with the changes to exports brought about by Brexit, struggling with labour shortages compounded further by Covid-19 and Brexit and, as soon as the UK was declared free of Avian Influenza, we are dealing with outbreaks once again.
Indeed, 2021 seems to be ending in a similar vein to 2020. Over the last few weeks, we have been supporting those of you affected by outbreaks of AI and helping you to navigate the restrictions. Our vets have been attending farms early in the morning and late at night, 7 days a week, to ensure that movement licenses have been issued in time to get birds and eggs where they need to be. It’s frustrating to think that this could become an annual occurrence, so please do contact your local PHS branch if you need any advice on improving your biosecurity, applying for movement licences or regarding the health and welfare of your flocks.
Despite these challenges, it’s been a positive year for us at PHS, with the opening of our new UKAS accredited laboratory and poultry veterinary practice in Newbridge, near Edinburgh, and the expansion of the veterinary teams in all of our branches. We also launched our new website (www.poultryhealthservices.com) and encourage you to visit and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest PHS updates.
We would like to thank you for your support in 2021 and we look forward to a healthy, successful and productive 2022.
Sara Perez, Nikky Motley and the PHS Team
Avian Influenza: Is your risk assessment up to date?
Due to the recent cases of AI, we have been reviewing a number of risk assessments and contingency plans. These plans may not only be required by your insurer but also give you peace of mind that you are doing everything you can to protect your birds and your business. They also give you a clear guide of what needs to be done if you are in the infected premises or if you are in a restricted area. If you would like more information, or to organise a visit, please contact your local branch.
Avian Influenza Outbreak 2021: What does this mean for Gamebirds?
As part of our series, ‘The Expert View’ on ShootHub by GunsOnPegs, Alex Royden, Lead Vet of our Northwest practices, explains what has happened so far in this year’s outbreak, how to prevent AI affecting your site and what this means for shooting.
Please visit https://shoothub.gunsonpegs.com/articles/vet-advice to read the blog post.
If you have any concerns about AI, please do not hesitate to contact your local PHS branch.
REMINDER: New address for your Salmonella samples
All Salmonella testing has moved from Biobest Laboratories to our new in-house laboratory: Newbridge Scientific. The new lab is UKAS, DEFRA and Lion Code accredited and performs a large selection of diagnostic tests at competitive prices.
With immediate effect, please make sure that all your Salmonella samples are sent to the new address: Newbridge Scientific, 1 Melville Park, Newbridge Industrial Estate, Clifton Hall Road, EH28 8PJ. If you require new submission forms or pre-paid labels, please contact our Sheriff Hutton branch on sheriffhutton@poultryhealthservices.com or ring us on 01347 820366.
REMINDER: Salmonella Sampling over the Christmas & New Year Period
Royal Mail will not deliver samples to our Edinburgh Newbridge lab from Saturday 25th December 2021 to Tuesday 28th December 2021 as these are Bank Holidays. There will then be normal deliveries through to Friday 31st
December 2021. The first Royal Mail delivery to the lab in 2022 will be on Wednesday 5th January 2022. Please note, there will be no deliveries on Monday 3rd January 2022 and Tuesday 4th January 2022 as these are Scottish Bank Holidays. Please plan your sampling and posting dates to ensure your samples can be delivered within the 4- day testing limit. If you think this will not be possible, please contact us in advance so we can try to help.
Royal Mail Last Christmas Posting Dates for 2021
Saturday 18th December – 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed for, Royal Mail 48 Tuesday 21st December – 1st Class, 1st Class Signed for, Royal Mail 24
Wednesday 22nd December – Royal Mail Tracked 24* (only available to purchase online) Thursday 23rd December – Special Delivery Guaranteed
Please visit the Royal Mail website for further information.
Christmas & New Year Delivery Schedules for Courier Items
Any medications which need to be sent by a courier service will need to be ordered and put on the courier by Wednesday 22nd December at the latest for a Friday 24th December delivery. However, we recommend you request any items which need a courier service as far in advance as possible due to recent issues with national courier services due to driver shortages. There will be no courier deliveries available on weekends and Bank Holidays over the festive period. Please contact your local practice for further advice.
Vaccine orders during the Christmas period
Please ensure that any vaccine orders required for the Christmas & New Year Period are placed by Friday 10th December. This will guarantee delivery before the festive period.
2022 Prices
We have had notification from a number of suppliers that prices will rise from 1st January 2022. Unfortunately, these rises will have to be passed to clients and will range between 3-5% for most affected products. This will apply to most vaccines and medication and all clinical/lab work. We have always and will continue to absorb prices rises where possible, so not all products will be affected. For further information, please contact your local practice.
Christmas & New Year Opening Hours
Christmas Eve: 08:30-15:00
Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 27th and 28th December : CLOSED (On call vet available, please ring the practice)
29th Dec: 08:30-17:00
30th Dec: 08:30-17:00
New Year’s Eve: 08:30-15:00
New Year’s Day, 2nd January, 3rd January: CLOSED (On call vet available, please ring the practice) 4th Jan: Normal opening hours recommence