With the risk of AI (avian influenza) continuing to rise, the government is urging those involved in game bird rearing and shoot organisers, as well as commercial poultry keepers, to ensure strict biosecurity measures are in place to protect both wild and captive bird populations.
Cases of AI have particularly increased in coastal counties that are on bird migration routes and parts of the country with a significant gamebird sector.
The existing AIPZ has been updated today (20 August) to include additional biosecurity measures for game bird operations in England.
During outbreaks, there are also controls on the release of game birds in areas of known high risk which must be abided by. The release of game birds is not permitted in avian influenza disease control zones declared around an infected premises. The new AIPZ requirements for game bird rearers and shoot operators come into effect on 26 August.
Mandatory biosecurity measures for all poultry keepers have been in place since January 2025, although regional housing measures were lifted on 15 May.
However, housing measures do still apply for keepers in a 3km Protection Zone or Captive Bird Monitoring (Controlled) Zone, where there has been a recent outbreak.
The ban on bird gatherings also remains in place.
Further information can be found at:
- GOV.UK | Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
- GOV. UK | Risk levels and outbreak assessments
- GOV.UK | Heightened avian influenza risk warning issued to bird keepers and gamebird rearers
Changes for gamebird keepers include:
- Disinfecting any vehicles upon first entry to the site and each day they are in use
- Providing one feeding station per 60 released game birds
- Cleaning feeding and watering stations daily to remove faecal matter, feathers and spilled feed
- Covering feeding and, where possible, watering stations to avoid contamination from wild bird droppings
- Placed pheasants in release pens should not be fed within 50 metres of a water body frequented by ducks and other wildfowl
- Placed game birds in release pens should not be fed within 500 metres of any poultry or other kept birds
- During the open season, checking placed game birds in release pens daily for signs of avian influenza
- Conducting a daily search of the area within and up to a 50 metre radius surrounding the perimeter of release pens for carcases of dead game birds and dead wild birds
- Reporting dead wild birds to Defra using the dead wild bird reporting tool and disposing of carcases appropriately
- Keeping detailed records of all visitors to the site (including deliveries and collections)
Previously announced measures since 1 October 2024
- 13 December 2024: AIPZ comes into force across parts of the East of England.
- 23 December 2024: Defra declares mandatory housing measures in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
- 25 January 2025: Mandatory housing orders declared in York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire. AIPZ extended to the whole of England.
- 30 January 2025: Welsh government introduces an AIPZ across all of Wales.
- 16 February 2025: Mandatory housing extended to cover
- 7 April: Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyneside also mandated to follow housing orders.
- 15 May 2025: Mandatory housing measures lifted.
Keepers should remain vigilant
NFU Poultry Board Chair James Mottershead said: “The updated biosecurity measures announced by Defra reflect the increased risk avian influenza poses to bird keepers. Avian influenza continues to threaten the UK poultry sector and disease outbreaks can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families.
“Farmers work hard to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.
“Poultry producers will continue to do all they can to protect the health and welfare of their flocks, and I urge all bird keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant, maintain stringent biosecurity measures and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: “All bird keepers – whether of gamebirds, poultry, or other captive species – must remain vigilant for signs of disease, maintain high standards of hygiene and separation, and report any suspected cases immediately to the APHA. Avian influenza is a notifiable disease, and early action is vital to prevent wider spread. ”
What does the AIPZ mean for bird keepers?
To help keep birds disease-free, the Welsh Government has created two biosecurity self-assessment checklists for commercial and small poultry keepers.
The Secretary of State has carried out a risk assessment and requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds including pet birds in the AIPZ to comply with the minimum biosecurity measures set out in schedule 1 of the declaration.
All keepers who keep 500 or more poultry or other captive birds in any part of the AIPZ must comply with the measures in schedule 1 and in addition comply with the measures in schedule 2 of the declaration.
All keepers of poultry and other captive birds must in addition comply with the measures set out in Schedule 3 to this declaration in the AIPZ.
There are different requirements for keepers of poultry or other captive birds at a premises licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, keepers of racing pigeons, doves or other Columbiformes and keepers of birds of prey or other birds trained to fly from hand or under close control in the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.
These keepers can find out more information about what measures they should be taking in the various schedules of the government’s AIPZ declaration.
“I urge all poultry keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead
A summary of requirements bird keepers in the AIPZ must meet are listed below but all keepers are encouraged to read Defra’s declaration in full to see what the full requirements are as these are dependent on how many birds you have:
- keep feed and bedding inside
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds– if practical, use disposable protective clothing
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products
- carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use bird scarers, foils or streamers)
If disease is suspected
If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
- 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
- your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
