Housing measures have been introduced by Defra across parts of England in response to growing bird flu cases.
Taking effect from 30 October, it applies to keepers of more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products in north, central and east of England.
The announcement comes despite Defra last week telling The Grocer that the avian flu threat this year was not set to be exceptional, and despite it taking until December for a housing order to be put in place in the 2024-25 season.
It also followed a call for a housing order by the UK’s leading egg producer, Noble Foods, earlier today.
UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss warned there was “an increasing number of avian influenza cases on commercial farms and in backyard flocks across various counties across England” which required “prompt action”.
“Avian influenza can be devastating for poultry farmers and cause serious welfare issues for the birds in their care,” Middlemiss said. “The risk of avian flu is seasonally very high, which is why we are introducing these measures to help protect livelihoods and animal welfare.”
An avian influenza prevention zone also remains in force across the entirety of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of outbreaks of the disease.
Industry reaction
“With cases rising in wild and kept poultry across the country, strong action is needed, so BPC welcomes the announcement by Defra of a regional housing order across parts of England,” said Richard Griffiths, CEO of the British Poultry Council.
Despite this, he emphasised that “vigilance remains key” urging both bird keepers and Defra to continue monitoring the situation.
Read more: UK’s largest egg producer Noble Foods calls for housing order
Elsewhere, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association called for further action, including an extension across the whole of England, Wales and Scotland.
The organisation’s head of strategy and producer engagement, Gary Ford, argued a broader housing order would provide greater protection for free-range poultry and offer clarity and fairness for farmers.
“We welcome Defra’s decision to take decisive action in areas most affected by avian influenza,” Ford said. “However, this remains a really testing and extremely worrying time for free-range egg producers across the whole of the UK.
“Producers are all facing similar risks, and a joined-up approach would give the sector much-needed reassurance and confidence at an extremely difficult time, and so early in the bird flu season,” he added.
In information accompanying the announcement, Defra said the current risk to human health remains “very low” and properly cooked poultry products, including eggs, are “safe to eat”.
It also said the government will keep the housing order and accompanying protection zone under review.
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