DAERA to lift compulsory avian housing order
The restrictions will be lifted in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is to lift poultry and captive bird housing measures across Northern Ireland on Saturday, 10 May at 12pm.
At the same time, the Republic of Ireland will also be lifting its mandatory housing requirements.
This latest announcement will give flock keepers, including backyard and hobby keepers, a week to prepare ranges before they let their birds outside. However DAERA also urges bird keepers to maintain strict biosecurity measures on their premises.
The housing orders were first introduced across Northern Ireland on 17 February, becoming one of the key measures in place to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
Northern Ireland remains an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which includes a ban on the gathering of galliforme, anseriforme and poultry birds. Bird keepers are also legally required to follow strict biosecurity measures.
DAERA says that it is continuing to to review the risk of avian influenza spread, considering all available evidence and regularly engaging with stakeholders and colleagues in the Republic of Ireland.
Andrew Muir, DAERA minister, said: “This will be welcome news for poultry keepers across Northern Ireland who have put great effort into keeping their flocks safe. The last confirmed case in poultry here was in late February and I want to thank the engagement and cooperation from those poultry farmers who have suffered an incursion of disease this year.
"With the relaxation of housing requirements my message remains the same to all bird keepers – whether they have just a few birds or thousands – that they must continue to do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on premises so that we do not lose the progress that we have made.”
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Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
