Housing measures launched to guard poultry and different captive birds

In response to elevated findings of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (generally often known as hen flu) in wild birds and new instances in poultry and stored birds, coupled with heightened threat ranges, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures is being launched for north, central and components of east of England to mitigate the chance of additional outbreaks of the illness.

The affected counties and unitary authorities embody Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne & Wear, West Yorkshire.

The measures don’t apply to pastime keepers, solely to keepers who’ve greater than 50 birds, and those who promote or give away eggs or poultry merchandise as a result of elevated biosecurity threat that comes with buying and selling these merchandise reminiscent of car actions.  These keepers should hold their birds housed to guard them from hen flu.

The declaration will take impact from 00:01 on 30 October 2025. Bird keepers are suggested to test if they’re in a bird flu disease zone on this map and browse additional recommendation on the way to adjust to the necessities. Keepers are inspired to take motion to stop hen flu and cease it spreading and be vigilant for indicators of illness and report it to maintain birds secure. 

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) additionally stays in pressure throughout everything of Great Britain to mitigate the chance of outbreaks of the illness. This requires taking enhanced biosecurity measures reminiscent of reporting of modifications in egg manufacturing, obligatory report preserving, disinfecting footwear, and cleaning & disinfecting housing and concrete walkways on a steady foundation 

The AIPZ measures apply to all hen keepers whether or not they have pet birds, industrial flocks or only a few birds in a yard flock and are important to defending flocks from avian influenza. Keepers within the areas with housing measures should be moreover vigilant to the necessities of the AIPZ.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss stated: 

Avian influenza will be devastating for poultry farmers and trigger severe welfare points for the birds of their care. The threat of avian flu is seasonally very excessive which is why we’re introducing these measures to assist defend livelihoods and animal welfare.

There is an growing variety of avian influenza instances on industrial farms and in yard flocks throughout numerous counties throughout England. Prompt motion to try to stop the additional unfold of illness is now mandatory and I’d urge hen keepers to adjust to the brand new housing measures. 

Bird keepers must be vigilant to any indicators of illness, whereas persevering with to train sturdy biosecurity measures and make sure you report suspected illness instantly to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Richard Griffiths, British Poultry Council (BPC) Chief Executive, stated:

The winter interval brings a heightened threat of avian influenza to poultry. With instances rising in wild and stored poultry throughout the nation, sturdy motion is required, so BPC welcomes the announcement by Defra of a regional housing order throughout components of England.

Vigilance stays key: all hen keepers should adjust to obligatory biosecurity measures to guard their flocks and forestall the unfold of this devastating illness. Defra should proceed to observe the state of affairs carefully and stand prepared to increase the housing order if the chance will increase.

Nick Allen, CEO of the British Egg Industry Council stated:

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) totally helps the introduction of a regional housing order for all poultry and captive birds, following the elevated threat of avian influenza. This precautionary measure is important to safeguard the well being and welfare of laying hens, alongside the sturdy biosecurity measures that farms have in place throughout this era.

All hen keepers in England whether or not they have pet birds, industrial flocks or only a few birds in a yard flock should:

• hold feed and bedding inside
• cleanse and disinfect clothes, footwear, gear and autos earlier than and after contact with poultry and captive birds– if sensible, use disposable protecting clothes
• scale back the motion of individuals, autos or gear to and from areas the place poultry and captive birds are stored, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and different merchandise
• perform efficient vermin management in any areas the place poultry and captive birds are stored
• completely cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a steady foundation
• hold contemporary disinfectant on the proper focus in any respect farm and poultry housing entry and exit factors
• make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use hen scarers, foils or streamers)

In addition, the housing measures imply hen keepers within the affected space should: 

• home all poultry and captive birds for those who personal greater than 50 (besides in particular circumstances e.g. zoo birds) or for those who promote or give eggs away

The present threat to human well being stays very low and correctly cooked poultry and poultry merchandise, together with eggs, are fit for human consumption. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stay vigilant for any proof of adjusting ranges of threat and are preserving this below fixed evaluation. 

The Housing Order and AIPZ might be in place till additional discover. It might be stored below common evaluation as a part of the federal government’s work to observe and handle the dangers of avian influenza.