Avian Flu April 2017

Requirements to house poultry in high risk areas have been revised. 

All poultry in England are to be allowed outside from Thursday 13 April, following updated evidence on the risk posed by wild birds. 

For more information via the DEFRA website click here.

The requirement to house or fully net poultry in Higher Risk Areas of England, introduced on 28 February to minimise the risk of them catching avian flu from wild birds, will be lifted.
All poultry keepers must however continue to take steps to reduce the risk to their birds, including:

• minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures
• cleaning footwear
• keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy
• feeding birds indoors.

If you have over 500 birds there are additional measures which you also must continue to implement.  The ban on poultry gatherings announced on 20 December also remains in place.