Bird flu: Wales announces housing order

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Chickens in the coop

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The mandatory nationwide housing order, requiring all bird keepers to house their birds, comes into effect from 13 November

The Welsh government has followed England and Northern Ireland in announcing a housing order to combat bird flu.

The mandatory nationwide housing order, requiring all bird keepers to house their birds, comes into effect from 13 November.

It comes a week after England and Northern Ireland made the same move and follows industry calls for GB-wide housing order.

Both the British Free Range Egg Producers Association and the British Poultry Council have said wider measures are required to provide the sector with the best protection from the disease.

Scotland, where there have been no confirmed bird flu cases so far, remains the sole outlier.

“The decision has not been taken lightly, but it is necessary to protect both our bird populations and the livelihoods of poultry keepers across Wales,” said Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister, who has responisbility for rural affairs. “I recognise this will be challenging, but by acting now we can help prevent the spread of this disease and protect our flocks.”

As previously reported, the most recent case of bird flu in the UK detected at a commercial premises near Welshpool, Powys. There have been a total of 36 cases detected so far, with 28 in England, five in Wales, and three in Northern Ireland.

The Welsh government said the housing order and the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which was introduced in January, would remain in place until further notice but kept under regular review.

“I appreciate the impact these measures have on keepers, and remain grateful for their continued cooperation to protect bird health and welfare,” said Wales’ chief veterinary officer, Dr Richard Irvine. “Housing measures can help protect birds from the threat of disease, but they are not a substitute for stringent hygiene and biosecurity.”

From Thursday, it will be a legal requirement in Wales for all keepers of 50 or more birds of any species to house them, and mandatory housing will also apply for birds of any species if eggs or poultry products are sold, or given away. There will also be additional requiements for the gamebird sector.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: “All decisions regarding animal health policy are evidence-based, and the current evidence of the effectiveness of housing measures at this time is inconclusive. The decision on determining which actions are proportionate and appropriate for Scottish bird keepers will be made by Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer.”