Bird Flu Housing Rules Scrapped but Biosecurity Must Stay Tight, Warn Experts
Bird Flu Housing Ban Ends but Danger Looms
Mandatory housing for poultry and captive birds in England and Wales will be lifted from midnight on Tuesday, 18 April 2023. The Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed this change after reassessing the bird flu threat.
But the bird flu menace hasn’t disappeared. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remains in place across England, demanding strict biosecurity from all bird keepers, whether they have pets, commercial flocks, or just a few birds in their backyard.
Keep Your Birds Locked Down — But Stay Alert
The AIPZ rules mean:
- Only essential people can access bird areas.
- Workers must change clothes and footwear before entering bird enclosures.
- Vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Bird keepers must stay vigilant. Wild birds are known carriers, and biosecurity is key to preventing deadly outbreaks that have devastated thousands of flocks across the UK and Europe. Since late 2021, there have been over 330 confirmed UK cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The good news? Bird flu cases are dropping steadily. The current risk level in Great Britain has moved from “very high” to “high” for wild birds, and from “medium” to “low” or “medium” for poultry—provided strict biosecurity is maintained.
Chief Vet’s Warning: Biosecurity Is Your Best Weapon
“While the lifting of housing measures is welcome, scrupulous biosecurity remains vital to keep your birds safe,” said Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
“Thanks to the hard work of bird keepers and vets this winter, we’re able to ease restrictions. But this outbreak is unprecedented, so vigilance and strict biosecurity remain critical.”
The UK Health Security Agency assures the public that bird flu viruses currently circulating don’t easily spread to humans. Properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.
If you find dead or sick birds, do NOT touch them. Report dead wild birds immediately online or via Defra’s helpline. Also, all poultry gatherings, such as fairs and markets, remain banned to stop the disease spreading.
Remember: bird flu is unrelated to COVID-19 and cannot be carried by poultry or captive birds.
Top Tips for Poultry Keepers – Don’t Slip Up!
Bird owners must always watch for signs of disease and apply strict biosecurity measures — it’s the law within the AIPZ. Here’s what you must do:
- House or net all poultry and captive birds.
- Clean and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment, and vehicles before and after contact. Use disposable protective gear if possible.
- Limit movement of people, vehicles, and equipment near your birds to prevent contamination.
- Keep detailed records of mortality, bird movement, and production changes.
- Clean and disinfect bird housing regularly with fresh disinfectant at correct concentrations.
- Stop wild birds accessing feed or water—keep bird areas fully fenced or enclosed and prevent access to ponds and watercourses.
Suspect bird flu? Report immediately via Defra on 03000 200 301 (England), 0300 303 8268 (Wales), or local Field Services in Scotland. Failure to report is an offence.
Stay Informed: Cases, Zones & Wild Birds
Check where current bird flu cases are with the interactive map. Disease control zones remain in effect around outbreaks.
APHA monitors wild birds year-round, testing dead birds submitted through public reports. If you spot:
- One or more dead birds of prey, gull, swan, goose, or duck in one spot
- Five or more dead wild birds of any other species in the same place
Report it immediately but do NOT touch or pick up any dead or sick birds.
Sick or injured wild birds should be reported to the RSPCA (England & Wales) or SSPCA (Scotland). For more info, visit their websites.
