UK set to lift compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds

The Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) from England, Scotland and Wales have announced that compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will be lifted at the end of this month as the risk of bird flu has reduced to ‘medium’.

The housing measure were introduced last December as a precautionary measure to confine the spread of avian influenza.

However, the officials said that the bio-security measures will remain in force in the three countries to protect flocks from avian influenza.

In a joint statement, the UK’s three CVOs said: “This will be welcome news for poultry keepers across the country who have put great effort into keeping their flocks safe this winter.

“We have taken swift action to contain and eliminate this disease and all bird keepers – whether they have just a few birds or thousands – must continue do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on their premises so that we do not lose the progress that we have made over the past few months as ‘low risk’ does not mean ‘no risk’.”

UK’s Defra, as well as the Scottish Government and Welsh Government, said that they have been working closely with industry and bird keepers to ensure that strict biosecurity measures are implemented across the poultry premises to help keep flocks safe.

The measures helped in containing the disease, and the measures are due to be relaxed, provided no new significant cases between now and the end of March.

Once birds are allowed out from 1 April 2020, all poultry and captive bird keepers will be required to take additional precautions such as cleaning and disinfecting equipment.