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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 31st October 2022
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Poultry housing order announced across England
The housing order comes into force at midnight on Monday, 7 November.
Measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their flocks indoors.

Captive birds and poultry in England must be kept inside from next week, regardless of type or size, the UK government has announced.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said the decision “has not been taken lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

The order comes into force at midnight on Monday, 7 November, under which bird keepers must keep their birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flocks from the disease.

It extends the mandatory housing measures already in force across parts of East Anglia following an increase in the national risk of avian flu in wild birds to “very high”.

Since October 2021, the UK has seen more than 200 confirmed cases of avian influenza - the largest-ever outbreak of the disease. The introduction of the housing measures comes after cases were confirmed at more than 70 premises in the past month alone, and multiple reports in wild birds.

Ms Middlemiss is now urging all bird keepers across England to use the coming days to prepare, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet and expand housing where necessary. 

"We are now facing this year, the largest-ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England. The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice," she said.

"Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways, from wild birds remain the best form of defence. Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from Monday 7 November onwards, you must keep your indoors. This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.