Avian Influenza - update to mandatory requirements

Because of an increase in cases of Avian Influenza across England, the avian influenza prevention zone ( AIPZ) which includes mandated housing, that was already in place in East Riding Yorkshire, The city of Kingston upon Hull, Norfolk and Suffolk has now been extended to include the Unitary Authority of York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire.

An additional AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity without housing has come into force across the remaining areas of England and Scotland.

The housing measures mean that it will be a legal requirement for all poultry keepers in the affected areas to keep their birds indoors, or otherwise separate from wild birds, and to follow the strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

Please check the Defra website for details of the specific rules.

The organic regulations and Soil Association Standard 3.12.11 allow the housing of organic poultry where there is a temporary statutory obligation to do so, such as the obligations required under the AIPZ. The housing of organic poultry under these AIPZ requirements will not affect the organic status of your poultry or poultry products provided all other standard requirements are met.

When organic poultry do have to be housed you must ensure they have access to roughage and other environmental enhancement to meet their ethological needs (SA Standard 3.12.19). Bales of straw, hay or alfalfa, pecking blocks, vegetables and other vegetations such as foliage can all help to provide birds with the roughage they need and environmental enrichment to meet their needs to forage for food. Products that are eaten by the birds must be organic or approved for use under organic standard requirements. For more information on enrichment materials see the Featherwel website. Additionally litter management is critically important and extra attention should be made to ensure litter it dry and friable (topped up as needed) with increased droppings and traffic from housed birds.

You are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in birds, and seek prompt advice from your vet if you have any concerns about your birds.

If you suspect bird flu in your poultry, 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.

You should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

Please familiarise yourselves with the Government avian flu advice.

The new housing measures will be kept under regular review by APHA.