Apr 12th, 2023
2 mins
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have announced that they are planning to lift the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone housing measures for poultry and captive birds in England and Wales from 00:01 on Tuesday 18 April 2023. However, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone mandatory biosecurity measures will remain in place for all birds.
Their advice is that if you intend to allow your birds outside after 18th April you must act now to prepare the outside areas. Further information is available on GOV.UK & GOV.WALES. Keepers with any welfare concerns about their birds should speak to their vet.
The latest Avian Influenza information for Scotland is also available on GOV.SCOT.
Note: If you fall within a Protection Zone or Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone you are still required to house your birds, as infection may still be circulating in the environment for several more weeks. You can use the interactive map to check if you are in a zone.
The decision means that from 18th April, eggs laid by hens with access to outside range areas can return to being marketed as ‘Free-Range’ eggs.
