Bird flu restrictions removed as concerns ease

The restrictions were in place since February

Restrictions on bird keepers in part of England, aimed at trying to stop the spread of bird flu in the area, have been lifted.

A 10km (6.21-mile) surveillance zone was set up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) after a case was confirmed at a site close to Malpas, near Nantwich, Cheshire, in February.

Although the centre of the zone was in England and included parts of Shropshire, part of the surveillance zone was extended into Wales.

A spokesperson for Defra said disease control activities were completed. The agency also previously removed a 3km (1.86-mile) protection zone at the end of March.

Protection zones in such cases mean all poultry and captive birds in the area must be housed indoors while surveillance zones mean a record must be kept of all poultry and eggs which leave or enter premises within the zone