The AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) housing measures for poultry and captive birds in England and Wales will be lifted on 9 April 2026.
Free range producers who will be allowed to let their birds outside from the 9 April need to take action now to prepare the range areas.
Get your birds acclimatised
As birds have been housed for several months, it may be necessary for them to be acclimatised and their release carefully managed to minimise welfare issues.
Keepers with any welfare concerns about their birds should speak to their vet.
The AIPZ mandatory biosecurity measures will remain in place across GB for all bird keepers.
For more information on AI in England, visit:
- GOV.UK | Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
- GOV. UK | Risk levels and outbreak assessments
For more information on AI in Wales, visit:
Risk not completely gone
NFU Poultry Board chair Will Raw said: “Poultry farmers continue to work incredibly hard to minimise the threat of avian influenza (AI) and it is a huge relief that the risk of disease incursion has been reduced.
“However, it’s important to note that the risk has not completely gone away. The AIPZ with mandatory biosecurity measures for all bird keepers is still in place and keepers in Protection Zones or Captive Bird Monitoring Zones will need to continue to house their birds.
“Poultry producers will continue to do all they can to protect the health and welfare of their flocks, and we urge everyone who keeps birds, regardless of the number of birds they keep, to remain vigilant and maintain stringent biosecurity measures.”
“Poultry farmers continue to work incredibly hard to minimise the threat of avian influenza (AI) and it is a huge relief that the risk of disease incursion has been reduced.”
NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw
Keepers should remain vigilant
Deputy UK Chief Veterinary Officer Jorge Martin-Almagro said: “With the threat of Avian Influenza receding, birds can now be allowed access to ranges and outdoor areas.
“Although the risk to poultry has reduced, there remains a risk that poultry and other captive birds can still contract bird flu.
“I urge keepers to take steps to prepare outdoor areas before letting birds out. It is still essential that bird keepers remain vigilant and implement rigorous and strict biosecurity”.
Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Richard Irvine said: “The lifting of the Housing Order will be welcome news for bird keepers.
“It’s important to get ready for lifting the Housing Order on 9 April, including to check and prepare ranges and outdoor areas. Whilst we are seeing risk levels reducing, bird flu has not gone away. Please continue to practice scrupulous hygiene and biosecurity to protect your birds.
“Stay vigilant for signs of disease and report any suspect cases to APHA immediately.”
Previously announced measures
- 13 November 2025: Welsh government implemented compulsory housing measures.
- 6 November 2025: National Avian Influenza mandatory housing order declared for England.
- 30 October 2025: Regional housing measures introduced across northern and parts of central and eastern England.
- 20 August 2025: Additional biosecurity measures introduced for game bird rearers and shoot operators.
- 15 May 2025: Mandatory housing measures lifted.
- 7 April 2025: Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyneside also mandated to follow housing orders.
- 16 February 2025: Mandatory housing extended to cover
- 30 January 2025: Welsh government introduces an AIPZ across all of Wales.
- 25 January 2025: Mandatory housing orders declared in York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire. AIPZ extended to the whole 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.
- 13 December 2024: AIPZ comes into force across parts of the East of England.
What does the AIPZ mean for bird keepers in GB?
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.
To help keep birds disease-free, the Welsh Government has created two biosecurity self-assessment checklists for commercial and small poultry keepers.
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.
Game bird rearers and shoot operators must also comply with the measures set out in Schedule 3 of the declaration.
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.
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.
