Defra has introduced mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds in the east of England, following a number of detections of avian influenza in poultry and wild and captive birds across the region.
The housing measures came into force from 00.01 on 12 October and build on the strengthened biosecurity measures brought in as part of the AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) on 27 September 2022, covering Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.
These measures were extended to the rest of England from Monday 7 November. It is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England to house their birds.
Poultry keepers can use the APHA's interactive map to check if they are affected and should read the new regional AIPZ with housing measure declaration which sets out the requirements.
AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) in eastern England, including housing measures
The AIPZ in the east of England was active from 12noon on the 27 September 2022 in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex. This AIPZ included housing measures from 00.01 on 12 October 2022.
Read the full declaration here: Defra | Declaration of a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared on 27 September, with housing measures included from 12 October
Legal requirement for biosecurity measures
There will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England to implement mandatory housing measures from 00:01 on Monday 7 November to help protect their flocks. This is in addition to the enhanced biosecurity requirements of the GB-wide AIPZ declared on 17 October.
An AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) without housing measures remains in place across the whole of Wales and Scotland.
Details of the conditions and a map of the zones can be found in each of the declarations.
You can find out if you are within any disease control zones by using the APHA’s interactive map.
