Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England & rules on bird movements

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We are sure you will already be aware that the whole of England is now in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). The AIPZ stipulates enhanced biosecurity measures and for keepers with kept game birds – ie birds that have been caught up for breeding stock during the shooting season. By law you must follow these strict biosecurity and hygiene rules to stop bird flu spreading. For full details on the measures, visit https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/bird-flu-regional-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-east-of-england.

You may also be in a disease control zone or AIPZ where you must house your birds (N & E Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, East England, Lancashire and Western counties). Check what zone you’re in and follow the rules.

Within the housing zone, birds must be housed using netting/mesh no larger than 25mm. Where this is not practical / not in the birds’ welfare interests (i.e. over-wintered game birds) a derogation is in place and an exemption letter or form is required.

Catching up and bird movements

Catching up is permitted in Scotland, until 28^th Feb, within the AIPZ providing it doesn’t occur within an AI outbreak 3km Prevention Zone (PZ) or 10km Surveillance zone (SZ). There are currently none in place in Scotland.

All movements within an AI outbreak PZ or SZ require a licence. AIPZ or housing zones do not require licences and birds can be moved freely.

• Caught up birds – will not be given a licence
• Hatching eggs - only licenced into designated hatcheries
• Day old chicks – licence available. Vet biosecurity report required.
• Poults – will not be given a licence.

All caught up birds in GB require a 21 day quarantine before moving to the destination.

Bird gatherings are banned. Defra state that: “If you bring together 2 birds from separate locations, that is considered a gathering”. This may become an issue if multiple sources of game birds are brought to one game farm.

Futher Defra advice on how to stop the spread of bird flu can be found at the below website.

Bird flu (avian influenza): how to prevent it and stop it spreading - GOV.UK

See map link for details on current AIPZ, Housing zones and individual outbreak zones: https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cb1883eda5547c6b91b5d5e6aeba90d

Note to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, the organisation has around 13,000 members.
www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk