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DAERA to lift compulsory avian housing order
The restrictions will be lifted in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
The measures will be lifted midday on 10 May.

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.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.