Housing order comes into force after bird flu cases

The culling of 12,000 chickens is under way at a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, County Tyrone (stock image)

A mandatory housing order for flock keepers across Northern Ireland has been announced following reports of suspected cases of bird flu in recent days.

The order came into force from 00:01 GMT on Thursday.

On Tuesday, it was reported that a flock of about 15,000 turkeys were to be culled in County Fermanagh after a suspected case of bird flu was detected on a farm, BBC News NI understands.

It comes as the culling of 12,000 chickens is understood to be under way at a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, County Tyrone.

In addition, a ban on the gatherings of flocks including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, swans, and poultry has been implemented in conjunction with this housing order.

Similar measures are also being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in the Republic of Ireland.

Suspected cases of bird flu have been detected this week at two commercial turkey farms in County Meath and County Carlow.

Disease control measures were initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) at a location near Pomeroy, after being reported on 1 November and a location in Lisnaskea.

There have been six disease outbreaks so far in Northern Ireland in 2025.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said on Monday that initial results suggested the presence of highly pathogenic, avian influenza (HPAI), so disease control measures were being introduced at the premises as a "precautionary measure".

Announcing the housing order on Wednesday, Muir said the decision will mean that "all poultry and captive bird keepers must keep their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds".

"Northern Ireland relies heavily on the agri-food industry as a source of employment", he said. Adding that it is "vital that we do all we can to support industry efforts to keep HPAI out".

It is understood that about 15,000 turkeys are being culled at a farm which is located near Lisnaskea (stock image)

Last month, it was reported that about 20,000 chickens were to be culled after a suspected case of bird flu was found at a farm near Omagh in County Tyrone.

Almost 16,000 birds were also culled at a site near Pomeroy earlier this year due to suspected bird flu.

Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) will also be introduced to mitigate for onward disease spread.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) said Avian Influenza, or bird flu, is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low.

'Crucial to limit any potential spread'

Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher said the measures are "crucial to limit any potential spread of disease" and stressed the "utmost importance of ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to Daera immediately".

He said: "Anyone who keeps birds and poultry, not just those in the commercial sector, will now have a legal obligation to adhere to the housing order requirements, which are there to protect your flock."

Full details of the scope and measures required within the TCZs have been published on the Daera website.