Mandatory housing introduced amid bird flu rise
New housing measures will be in force from 30 October 2025.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is to introduce mandatory housing measures for poultry in several locations across the United Kingdom.
From 30 October 2025, poultry and captive birds in a number of counties and unitary authorities in north, central and eastern England must be housed. The measures apply to keepers of more than 50 birds and those who sell or give eggs away.
The regions covered by these measures include 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 and West Yorkshire.
The UK chief veterinary officer has introduced the additional methods in response to increasing cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in recent weeks. In the past ten days, APHA has reported seven cases of H5N1 in various premises across the country.
The new housing measures will accompany the existing Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) which is in force across Great Britain.
Bird keepers must continue taking enhanced biosecurity measures to protect against the spread of the disease. This includes reporting changes in egg production, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, and continuous cleansing and disinfection of the area.
Although the new housing measures only apply to those with over 50 birds and those who sell/give away eggs, the AIPZ applies to all bird keepers – regardless of how they keep their birds.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s CVO, said: “There is an increasing number of avian influenza cases on commercial farms and in backyard flocks across various counties across England. Prompt action to try and prevent the further spread of disease is now necessary and I would urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures.
“Bird keepers should be vigilant to any signs of disease, while continuing to exercise robust biosecurity measures and ensure you report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
Bird keepers can check if they are in a disease control zone using APHA’s map. There is also further advice for complying with requirements available online.
Image © Mai.Chayakorn/Shutterstock.com
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
