From 00:01 on Sunday 16 February 2025 the AIPZ (avian influenza prevention zone) housing measures will be extended to cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire. This is in addition to housing measures previously declared in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire. See more details on these housing measures.
The GB-wide AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity in all other counties remains in force. APHA's interactive map and the declaration will be updated on Saturday 15 February to show these changes.
Previously announced measures
The Welsh government introduced an AIPZ across all of Wales from 00:01 on Thursday 30 January 2025. Although no cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been confirmed in Wales so far, the measures have been introduced to protect the national flock as cases increase elsewhere across Great Britain.
The introduction of an all-Wales AIPZ followed the declaration of an AIPZ across England and Scotland, which came into force on Saturday 25 January.
This means that from midday on Saturday 25 January in England and Scotland, and from midnight on Thursday 30 January in Wales, it became a legal requirement for all bird keepers 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 regional housing measures for Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire in addition to those already in place in York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire and in the east – East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
“While housing measures have been extended into Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire, we’re asking the respective governments to take further action and urgently implement GB-wide housing measures.”
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead
NFU calls for GB-wide housing measures
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said: “We are pleased the government implemented the AIPZ across England, Scotland and Wales. While housing measures have been extended into Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire, we’re asking the respective governments to take further action and urgently implement GB-wide housing measures. These would be an important part of a suite of measures to help prevent any further outbreaks of this devastating disease.
“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.”
‘We must not be complacent’
Speaking after the all-Wales AIPZ was announced, NFU Cymru Poultry chair Richard Williams said: “Unfortunately the UK poultry industry is all too familiar with the devastating impact that AI can have on our flocks and our businesses in recent years. Given the worsening disease picture in other parts of the UK this season, it is absolutely imperative that poultry keepers – whether that’s commercial businesses or small backyard flocks – do all they can to protect our birds from this disease.
“The announcement of an all-Wales AIPZ recognises the increased risk to Welsh flocks. Although there aren’t currently any AI cases in Wales, we must not be complacent.
“I urge all poultry keepers to heed the advice and warnings being given by Welsh Government, employ enhanced biosecurity measures and remain vigilant for signs of the disease.”
For bird keepers in Wales, regardless of the number of birds kept, you must complete the mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist within seven days of the AIPZ being announced.
To help keep birds disease-free, the Welsh Government has created two biosecurity self-assessment checklists for commercial and small poultry keepers.
Housing measures
Mandatory housing measures were declared by Defra in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk noon on 23 December 2024, and in York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire on 25 January 2025. These will be extended to cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire on 16 February.
All bird keepers in those counties 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 and the rest of England since 25 January.
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.”
What does this mean for bird keepers?
The Secretary of State has carried out a risk assessment and requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds including pet birds in the AIPZ to comply with the minimum biosecurity measures set out in schedule 1 of the declaration.
All keepers who keep 500 or more poultry or other captive birds in any part of the AIPZ must comply with the measures in schedule 1 and in addition comply with the measures in schedule 2 of the declaration.
All keepers of poultry and other captive birds must in addition comply with the measures set out in Schedule 3 to this declaration in the AIPZ.
There are different requirements for keepers of poultry or other captive birds at a premises licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, keepers of racing pigeons, doves or other Columbiformes and keepers of birds of prey or other birds trained to fly from hand or under close control in the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.
These keepers can find out more information about what measures they should be taking in the various schedules of the government’s AIPZ declaration.
Keepers in Wales must also complete a mandatory biosecurity self assessment checklist within 7 days of the AIPZ coming into effect.
“I urge all poultry keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead
A summary of requirements bird keepers in the AIPZ must meet are listed below but all keepers are encouraged to read Defra’s declaration in full to see what the full requirements are as these are dependent on how many birds you have:
- keep feed and bedding inside
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds– if practical, use disposable protective clothing
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products
- carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use bird scarers, foils or streamers)
If disease is suspected
If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
- 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
- your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
