Bird flu restrictions put in place across all of England and Scotland as cases rise

› Restrictions have been placed on the whole of England and Scotland to try to slow the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
All bird keepers, from those with pet birds to farmers with large flocks, are now required to follow strict hygiene measures imposed by the Government.
In some counties, mostly across the east of England, even stricter rules in the form of housing orders (HOs) are being put in place, meaning birds must be kept indoors.
The Scottish Government has also introduced a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the country, while both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have had AIPZs in place since mid-January. In England, regional HOs have been extended to include York, North Yorkshire, and Shropshire.
Dominic Boulton, Game Sector Representative at Defra’s National Avian Disease Core Group, told GM: “The extension of restrictions announced recently by Defra was only to be expected after the sharp upswing in the number of confirmed cases. Unfortunately, the trend of falling case numbers seen in the first half of January did not persist, and the Game Farming Association supports Defra’s decision to extend the AIPZ to cover the whole of England.
“The main implications for game management at this time of year are the England and Scotland-wide mandatory requirement to observe the 21-day standstill before moving caught-up birds, and the enhanced biosecurity requirements laid down in the AIPZ and HOs for anyone with captive birds, such as overwintered breeders or recently caught-up birds (which become captive once caught up).
“Catching-up is only permitted by law until 1 February in England and Wales and 28 February in Scotland. Anyone with captive birds should familiarise themselves with their legal responsibilities, details of which can be found on the relevant government websites.”