Following a change in the risk levels and an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in kept and wild birds, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England and Scotland have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across England and Scotland to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
This means that from midday on Saturday 24 January, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England and Scotland to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza.
This nationwide AIPZ does not include national housing measures but Defra have announced housing measures for York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire in addition to those already in place in some counties in the east of England.
“Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.”
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead
Constant review needed
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said: “The NFU Poultry Board met this week and supported the introduction of a GB wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone which would introduce mandatory biosecurity measures for all bird keepers. The NFU also requested the government to implement GB wide housing measures which would be an important part of a suite of measures to help prevent any further outbreaks of this devastating disease.
“We are pleased the government has acted promptly on this issue to protect the national flock with an AIPZ being implemented across England and Scotland with Welsh Government expected to follow shortly. Whilst housing measures have been extended into York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire we urge the respective governments to keep this under constant review and extend this requirement where necessary.
“Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.
“In light of cases of avian influenza being confirmed and the increased risk levels for both wild birds and poultry, I urge all bird keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant, maintain stringent biosecurity measures and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.
“I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them while continuing to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss
AIPZ in East of England (including housing measures)
New mandatory housing measures were declared by Defra in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk noon on Monday 23 December 2024. All bird keepers in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk must keep their birds housed to protect them from avian influenza. This order applies to all poultry keepers, irrespective of the scale or size of their flock.
These measures are in addition to the requirement to follow the stringent biosecurity measures set out in the AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone), which have been in force across parts of the East of England since the 13 December 2024.
Mandatory housing also applies in any 3km Protection Zone surrounding an infected premises.
Keepers should remain alert
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: “Given the continued increasing number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease.
“I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them while continuing to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
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