Bird flu housing order to be enforced on keepers

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

Bird flu measures requiring owners to keep their flock on a strict lockdown in their housing are due to come into effect.

Mandatory housing rules for poultry in parts of the North, Midlands and East of England will take effect from 00:01 GMT on Thursday.

The rules apply to keepers of more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products, and the order will be in place until further notice, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said there had been an increase in bird flu and the action would try to prevent any further spread.

"Avian influenza can be devastating for poultry farmers and cause serious welfare issues for the birds in their care," she said.

"The risk of avian flu is seasonally very high which is why we are introducing these measures to help protect livelihoods and animal welfare."

Affected areas

Areas that will see the rules in place include:

• Cheshire

• Cumbria

• Derbyshire

• Durham

• East Riding of Yorkshire

• Greater Manchester

• Lancashire

• Leicestershire

• Lincolnshire

• Merseyside

• Norfolk

• North Yorkshire

• Northumberland

• Rutland

• Shropshire

• South Yorkshire

• Staffordshire

• Suffolk

• Tyne & Wear

• West Yorkshire

In recent days, bird flu cases have been recorded in captive and commercial birds near Newington in Kent, near Lakenheath in Suffolk and near Burscough in Lancashire.

The housing order applies to those with more than 50 birds or to those who sell or give eggs away

The housing order means keepers must also keep feed and bedding inside, and to cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment, vehicles before and after contact with poultry or captive birds.

The rules would not apply to hobby keepers, Defra said.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone also remains in force across the entirety of Great Britain that requires enhanced biosecurity measures for flock owners.

Richard Griffiths, British Poultry Council chief executive, said it welcomed the housing order and "strong action" was needed.

"Vigilance remains key: all bird keepers must comply with mandatory biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and prevent the spread of this devastating disease," he added.

"Defra must continue to monitor the situation closely and stand ready to extend the housing order if the risk increases."