The Government has announced today that poultry farmers and bird keepers must house all birds from Monday November 29 2021. The UK-wide housing measures will be introduced to protect poultry and captive birds against avian influenza.

The new housing measures will place a legal requirement on all bird keepers across the UK to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of, and eradicate, the disease.

It follows a rise in the number of confirmed avian influenza cases across the UK, with bird flu confirmed in captive birds and commercial and non-commercial poultry in Dorset, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Essex, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cumbria, Cheshire and Norfolk.

The Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging all poultry farmers and bird keepers to use the next five days to prepare for the housing measures, and to consult their vets and put up additional housing where necessary.

Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Avian influenza circulates naturally in wild birds and when they migrate to the UK from mainland Europe over the winter they can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds.

Although the disease poses very little risk to human health, members of the public are advised to avoid picking up or touching any sick or dead birds. They should instead report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77. Bird keepers who suspect the disease in their flock are asked to contact their local field services office.

For further information and full guidance on bird flu click here.