From 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.
The NFU has welcomed the introduction of these housing measures but is reiterating that they must form part of wider set of measures to help protect the national flock.
Following a number of findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and detections in poultry in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Norfolk, a regional AIPZ has been declared to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.
You can check to see if you are in the AIPZ using Defra’s interactive map.
View the declaration in full at: GOV.UK | Bird flu: regional avian influenza prevention zone (East of England) - with housing measures
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.
“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:
- house all poultry and captive birds (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds)
- 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)
Risk levels
The current risk to human health remains very low and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.
The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is assessed as very high.
The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as:
- high where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity
- medium where good biosecurity is consistently applied at all times.
Be vigilant
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said: “In light of the recent 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 and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.
“Maintaining stringent biosecurity is vital, whether you are a commercial poultry producer or someone who keeps a small number of hens in the garden. While the new AIPZ now brings in housing measures alongside mandatory biosecurity, we urge Defra to keep the need for any further and more widespread measures under review to ensure poultry farmers can continue to protect the health and welfare of their flocks.”
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.