Beautiful brown hen outside her nest at a poultry farm

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There are growing industry calls for a UK-wide housing order

The British Poultry Council has joined industry calls for a Great Britain-wide housing order, following differences in policy between devolved nations.

The trade body has joined calls from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association for governments in Wales and Scotland to “act swiftly” and align with England’s housing order – which came into force on 6 November.

“The implementation of an England-wide housing is the right move at the right time,” said BPC chief executive Richard Griffiths. “Housing is an added layer of protection that strengthens our ability to keep food moving and uphold confidence in British poultry. 

Griffiths explained that a GB-wide housing order plus stringent biosecurity would “put the sector in the best position possible as we move through this high-risk period”. 

Northern Ireland has also announced a country-wide housing order. 

Defra has reported 36 confirmed HPIA H5N1 cases in the UK this bird flu season, with the vast majority, 28, in England, five in Wales, and three in Northern Ireland. No cases have currently been detected in Scotland.

The most recent case was recorded at a commercial premises near Welshpool, Powys, Wales, on 9 November. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone was declared around the premises and poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.

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Including HPAI and LPAI strains, there were 82 cases in the 2024-25 outbreak season and only six in the 2023-2024 season. 

When Defra announced its housing order at the end of October, it came two months earlier than 2024’s and came after the government had dismissed concerns this season was due to be worse than those in recent years.

“We are assessing the available evidence and actively considering whether a housing order is needed in Wales in the near term,” said the Welsh government. However, The Grocer understands this is expected to change soon. 

Despite the lack of a housing order, both Wales and Scotland have Avian Influenza Prevention Zones in place with stricter biosecurity measures for bird keepers to help prevent the spread of bird flu.

The Scottish government has been approached for comment.

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