Avian Influenza Housing Measures
In response to increased findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (’bird flu’) in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds, the Avian Influenza housing measures are being extended in the north of England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
Published: 8 April 2025
This means that from midnight (00:01) on Monday 7 April, keepers in Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyneside must house their birds and continue to follow the strictest biosecurity as required by the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).
This extension is in addition to those housing measures already in place across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, York, North Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire. In addition to across the whole of Northern Ireland.
AIPZs mandating enhanced biosecurity are also in place across all of the UK. Mandatory housing also applies in any 3km Protection Zone or 3km Captive Bird Monitoring (Controlled) Zones in force surrounding an infected premises.
The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting birds from avian influenza.
If you keep birds on your allotment, it is your responsibility to make sure that they are housed AT ALL TIMES