Housing measures introduced to protect poultry and other captive birds from avian influenza

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have introduced mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds in parts of North, Central and East England due to rising cases of avian influenza.

The Housing Order applies to bird keepers with more than 50 birds or those who sell or give away eggs or poultry products.

Affected areas 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, West Yorkshire.

Keepers must house birds and follow strict biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of disease spread.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in force across Great Britain, requiring all bird keepers to maintain enhanced biosecurity.