The government is reminding all bird keepers – regardless of the size of their flock – of the new measures that are being introduced to combat the spread of AI (avian influenza) in the UK.
Legally, keepers must register themselves with the APHA (Animal Plant Health Agency) before 1 October 2024.
This will allow APHA to communicate with keepers about biosecurity measures, improving the UK’s resilience to AI.
Improved record keeping on the official poultry register will also allow the government to identify all bird keepers within control zones and improve surveillance activities - allowing zones to be lifted more quickly and trade to resume swiftly.
Registration and exemption
The new rules cover all types of bird keepers including owners of backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeon fanciers.
They do not affect caged pet birds (excluding any poultry species) kept entirely inside a domestic dwelling, such as a parrot, canary or budgie, which never leaves the property other than to visit a vet or another short-term period.
The form you use to register will depend on the size and breed of your flock:
- Register as a keeper of 50 or more poultry
- Register as a keeper of 50 or more other captive birds
- Register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or captive birds
Further information can be found at: GOV.UK | Poultry and other captive birds: registration rules and forms
GOV.UK is experiencing an extremely high volume of applications. Applications are usually processed within 30 days. If you have already submitted an application, please do not submit another.
Why the register matters
The new registration rules are a result of the government’s 2023 review of the GB poultry register. The NFU has been actively engaged in reviewing the register since 2017.
We were in support of the government reducing the threshold for mandatory registration of poultry, rather than just for those with over 50 birds.
The health and welfare of the national flock is the main priority for keepers. The changes to the register will allow APHA to improve its response to disease outbreaks – making it easier for keepers to receive important updates and information about confirmed cases, surveillance and monitoring, and biosecurity measures.
While commercial businesses have stringent biosecurity measures in place and flocks’ are already registered, a rise in backyard flocks over recent years has posed more challenges to containing diseases. Many have strong biosecurity standards, but with a quarter of all AI cases being attributed to backyard flocks since 2021, it is vital that the government has the ability to communicate with all keepers.
Read CVO Christine Middlemiss' blog urging all keepers to register with the APHA.
Minimising administrative burden
NFU Poultry Board Chair James Mottershead said he is keen that the government ensures the process of registering, reviewing and updating the GB poultry register is as straightforward as possible to minimise the administrative burden on all poultry keepers.
“The NFU is also calling on the government to ensure that these new requirements will help remove restrictions imposed on poultry farmers when non-commercial poultry are affected by notifiable disease,” he said.
“These changes should help the government communicate important information to all poultry keepers in a more timely manner, which in turn will help protect the health of the national flock.”
Although the UK has been declared free from HPAI with effect from 29 March 2024, HN51 continues to be found in wild birds in Great Britain and across Europe.