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Poultry housing measures set to end
Poultry and other captive birds will no longer need to be housed, unless they are in a protection zone.
Captive birds will be allowed outside from 2 May.

Mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will be lifted on Monday (2 May), the UK's chief veterinary officers have confirmed.

The introduction of housing measures came into force in December 2021 as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ), making it a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their flocks indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures.

In a joint statement, the four chief veterinary officers said that from 00.01 on Monday 2 May 2022, poultry and other captive birds will no longer need to be housed, unless they are in a protection zone, and may be allowed outside. 

While the risk of bird flu has been reduced to ‘medium’ for premises with poor biosecurity, the CVOs said that the enhanced biosecurity requirements - introduced as part of the AIPZ - will remain in force as infection may still be circulating in the environment for several more weeks. All poultry gatherings will also remain banned. 

Since late October, the UK has seen its largest-ever epidemic of avian flu, with more than 100 cases identified throughout the country.

Poultry keepers intending to let their birds outside are being advised to use the coming days to prepare their outside areas for the release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents.

The four Chief Veterinary Officers said: “Whilst the lifting of the mandatory housing measures will be welcome news to bird keepers, scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical form of defence to help keep your birds safe.

“It is thanks to the hard work of all bird keepers and vets, who have played their part in keeping flocks safe this winter, that we are in a position to take this action. However, the recent cases of avian influenza show that it’s vital that bird keepers remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity."

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RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

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News Shorts
Defra to host bluetongue webinar for vets

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be hosting a webinar for veterinary professional on bluetongue on Thursday, 25 April 2024.

Topics covered will include the transmission cycle, pathology and pathogenesis, clinical signs (including signs seen in recent BTV-3 cases in the Netherlands), and control and prevention.

The session, which will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm, is part of Defra's 'Plan, Prevent and Protect' webinar series, which are hosted by policy officials, epidemiologists and veterinary professionals from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The bluetongue session will also feature insights from experts from The Pirbright Institute.

Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions. Places on the webinar can be booked online.