Updated: New rules from 28 February are now in force; we have published an updated leaflet for keepers of backyard flocks and there's an updated legal declaration.
Avian influenza (bird flu) mainly affects birds. It can also affect humans and other mammals.
Some strains of avian influenza cause a notifiable disease. If you suspect any strain of avian flu you must tell your nearest Animal and Plant and Health Agency (APHA) office immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.
If you keep poultry, you should keep a close watch on them for signs of disease, and maintain high levels of biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your poultry, seek prompt advice from your vet. Sign up to our Alerts Service to keep up to date with the latest news.
You must register your poultry if you have flocks of 50 or more birds. This also helps us to contact you during an outbreak of disease.
Latest situation
Read avian influenza (bird flu) in winter 2016 to 2017 for announcements.
Prevention Zones across GB remain in place in which all keepers of poultry and captive birds must ‘house’ them away from wild birds.
We have published short, simple advice for keepers of ‘backyard flocks’.
A number of cases of avian influenza H5N8 have been confirmed, and restrictions are in place. Full details of these cases and the specific legal restrictions and movement controls, are available further down this page.
Use our interactive map to check if you live in the Protection or Surveillance zones around any infected premises, or in one of the ‘Higher Risk’ areas.
Poultry keepers must continue to keep a close watch on their birds, and follow our detailed advice on biosecurity and welfare. The risk to kept birds cannot be eliminated just by housing them away from wild birds: the avian flu virus can be carried into buildings on people and things to infect birds.
If you find dead wild birds you should report them. We collect some of these and test them to help us understand how the disease is distributed.
Public Health England advise that the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency say that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
Prevention Zone
Prevention Zones are in place across Great Britain to tackle the threat to poultry from avian influenza (bird flu). They require poultry keepers to take a variety of actions to protect their birds from disease spread by wild birds. The updated rules from 28 February 2017 are set out here.
This information tells you what you must do in England. There are different arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
All poultry keepers in England (whether they have commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) are required by law to take a range of biosecurity precautions.
For most keepers, housing of birds is no longer required by law, and they can let their birds outside provided they take specific precautions against avian flu. This allows as much free-range production as possible to continue.
Poultry keepers must continue to follow the existing animal welfare rules.
In England we’ve defined a number of areas as ‘Higher Risk Areas’ (HRAs). What keepers must do depends on whether they are in one of these areas.
1. Check if you’re in a Higher Risk Area
Check on our interactive map if your premises is within a Higher Risk Area (HRA). We only consider that you’re in an HRA if the whole of your premises is within the HRA.
2. If you’re not in an Higher Risk Area
You can allow birds outdoors into fenced areas provided the areas meet certain conditions:
you have made the areas unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources
you have taken action to reduce any existing contamination, such as cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, you have fenced off wet or boggy areas
you have assessed the risk of birds coming into contact with wild birds or contamination from them
Our guidance explains what you must do before you start allowing birds outdoors.
You can still keep your birds housed (in permanent or temporary sheds), or in a fenced run which is wholly covered by netting.
3. If you are in a Higher Risk Area
You must either:
(a) keep your birds housed, in permanent or temporary sheds; or
(b) allow birds outdoors but only into a fenced run which is fully covered by netting
Our guidance explains this in more detail.
4. If you’ve got more than 500 birds
If you keep more than 500 birds you must take some extra biosecurity measures. These include identifying clearly defined areas where access by non-essential people and vehicles is restricted. You must clean and disinfect vehicles, equipment and footwear. Our guidance explains this in more detail.
Detailed advice
You should read our detailed advice about the controls:
Detailed advice on the Prevention Zone controls in England from 28 February 2017
PDF, 314KB, 17 pages
This information applies to all keepers of poultry and captive birds until 30 April 2017 (unless we decided we could modify the controls before then).
Formal details of controls
The legal requirements are set out in full in the
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declaration (28 February 2017)
(PDF, 597KB, 8 pages)
.
(This replaces the
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declaration, 6 January 2017
(PDF, 483KB, 2 pages)
.)
Timescale for controls
We expect these measures to remain in place until the end of April 2017. We’ll continue to assess the risks and if we can modify the controls before then we will do so.
Backyard flocks
The Prevention Zone controls apply both to commercial producers and to people with ‘backyard flocks’ (a small number of poultry or other captive birds).
We’ve put together this short leaflet - updated to take account of the new rules from 28 February 2017 - to help keepers of small flocks of poultry to look after their birds whilst the Prevention Zone remains in place:
New edition: How to keep your birds safe from avian influenza (bird flu)
PDF, 713KB, 2 pages
This was put together with help from the British Veterinary Association, Royal Veterinary College and British Veterinary Poultry Association.
If you’re concerned about backyard flocks which haven’t been housed or kept separate, then the owner may not be aware of the requirement. You can contact your local Trading Standards team if you’re still concerned.
Biosecurity
If you keep poultry or other captive birds you must keep a close watch on them for any signs of disease. If you have any concerns about their health, you must quickly seek advice from your vet.
You should read our detailed information about how to house your birds and keep them separate from wild birds, and about extra biosecurity measures:
Biosecurity and preventing disease in captive birds within a Prevention Zone
PDF, 225KB, 18 pages
All bird keepers must now take extra biosecurity steps, including:
minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry or other captive birds and wild birds
making sure that feed and water can’t be accessed by wild birds
taking all reasonable precautions to avoid the transfer of contamination between premises, including cleansing and disinfection of equipment, vehicles and footwear
reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry or captive birds are kept
implementing effective vermin control programmes around buildings where poultry or captive birds are kept
thoroughly cleansing and disinfecting housing and equipment at the end of a production cycle
keeping Defra-approved disinfectant at the right concentration at key points such as farm entrances and entrances to bird houses
Reasons for controls
We have taken this action because of the increased risk of avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK. Since the autumn of 2016, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N8 have been found in poultry and wild birds in several countries across Europe. We are continuing to monitor the situation.
The Prevention Zones help reduce the risk of poultry coming into contact with wild birds which that could carry the virus, or with their droppings. They also reduce the potential for any food or water that poultry use to become contaminated by wild birds. Even when birds are housed there is still a risk of infection, which is why there is an ongoing need for good biosecurity.
Our approach is based on the current situation and the latest veterinary and ornithological advice, which concludes that it is the best option to control disease, protect birds’ welfare, and ensure consumers can buy free range products.
Higher Risk Areas
All areas in England remain at high risk of H5N8 in wild birds.
However, in England we’ve defined a number of areas as ‘Higher Risk Areas’ (HRAs). These are generally areas near where wild birds (and in particular gulls and wild waterfowl) gather, such as lakes, marshes or estuaries. They also include areas where we’ve found cases of the avian flu H5N8 virus.
Check on our interactive map whether a particular premises is within an HRA.
We are keeping the boundaries of the Higher Risk Areas under close review. Further outbreaks of H5N8 in either kept poultry or wild birds may lead to new HRAs being defined, advertised in the vicinity and added to the interactive map.
There is no appeal mechanism or procedure for challenging the boundaries of the Higher Risk Areas.
We have published more detail of the rationale and approach behind Higher Risk Areas.
Free range
The rules on when eggs or poultry meat can be marketed as ‘free range’ are there to protect consumers from misleading information. Retailers must make sure that eggs or poultry meat are correctly labelled, including through stickers on packaging and signs on shelves. Where birds are being kept indoors (in line with the Prevention Zone requirements) it is to reduce the risks of catching or spreading avian flu.
Most egg producers in England can now let birds outside provided they observe strict disease prevention measures. They can sell eggs as free range if they come from birds which meet all the other requirements for free range and are:
allowed outdoors (under the arrangements outside Higher Risk Areas)
allowed into runs which are fenced and fully-covered by netting (inside or outside a Higher Risk Area)
It is a business decision for producers as to whether to bear the cost of netting in order to continue to market as free range.
Keepers of laying hens who are required to house their birds to protect their health can still sell the eggs as ‘free range eggs’ for a fixed 12-week ‘grace period’. In England, the grace period expired on 28 February 2017 – that is, so long as eggs are laid on or before 28 February 2017, they may still be sold as free range. If the hens remain housed after the grace period has expired, the eggs from these hens may no longer be sold as free range eggs.
In most cases, from 28 February, the eggs from birds which have been kept continuously-housed will meet the criteria to be sold as ‘barn eggs’. This method of production must be indicated on both the pack and on each egg. Barn eggs do not come from caged birds.
The 12-week fixed grace period also applies to birds reared for meat, although whether the meat can be sold as ‘free range’ if birds were still housed after the end of the grace period on 28 February will depend on the type of bird and the method of free range farming. There is no one simple answer that fits all types of meat producer who continues to house free range birds after 28 February. As a guideline, it will be possible to sell meat from free range chickens up until the end of March. Labelling of meat products that are no longer allowed to be marketed as free range must not mislead the consumer by implying that the meat is from free range birds.
Pigeons or birds of prey
You can still fly pigeons or birds of prey, but you should try to prevent them from making direct contact with (or catching) wildfowl. Keep a close watch on the health of your birds.
Game birds and shoots
Shoots have not been banned in the Prevention Zone.
If game birds are kept captive, they are covered by the Prevention Zone rules. Once game birds have been released they are classified as wild birds. The person who released the game birds is no longer classed as the ‘keeper’ of the birds.
Where released game birds continue to be fed and watered this can continue, though you should make reasonable efforts to minimise the chance of other wild birds accessing their feed and water. You should use commercial feed and fresh or treated water.
Advice on rearing game birds and shooting whilst the Prevention Zone is in force is available from the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation. This has been put together by seven leading countryside and shooting organisations (BASC, CA, CLA, GFA, GWCT, NGO and SGA) and endorsed by Defra, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments.
Bird gatherings
We have banned most bird gatherings.
Compensation
Owners are not entitled to compensation following the declaration of the Prevention Zone.
About avian influenza
How to spot avian influenza
There are 2 types of avian influenza.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the more serious type. It is often fatal in birds. The main clinical signs of HPAI in birds are:
swollen head
blue discolouration of neck and throat
loss of appetite
respiratory distress such as gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling
diarrhoea
fewer eggs laid
increased mortality
Clinical signs can vary between species of bird and some species may show minimal clinical signs (ducks and geese).
Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) is usually less serious. It can cause mild breathing problems, but affected birds will not always show clear signs of infection.
The severity of LPAI depends on the type of bird and whether it has any other illnesses.
Anyone who keeps poultry must keep a close watch on them for any signs of disease, and must seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns.
How avian influenza is spread
The disease spreads from bird to bird by direct contact or through contaminated body fluids and faeces.
The avian influenza virus changes frequently, creating new strains, and there is a constant risk that one of the new strains may spread easily among people. But there is no evidence that any recent strain of avian influenza has been able to spread directly between people.
Avian influenza isn’t an airborne disease.
Advice for the public
Public health
Some strains of avian influenza can pass to humans, but this is very rare. It usually requires very close contact between the human and infected birds. Based on what we know about the H5N8 strain, the risk to public health is considered very low. There have never been any recorded cases of H5N8 in humans. More information on avian influenza in people is available from Public Health England.
The Food Standards Agency advise that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
If you employ people who work with poultry or work with poultry yourself, you can also read Health and Safety Executive advice on protecting workers from avian influenza.
Wild birds
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
We then collect some of these birds and test them to help us understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird.
We publish a report (updated weekly) on findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) H5N8 in wild birds in Great Britain.
Movement controls and licences
3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones are in place in the following cases (dates are when disease was confirmed):
a small flock of chickens at a farm near Haltwhistle, Northumberland (24 February 2017)
a poultry premises near Redgrave, mid-Suffolk (14 February 2017)
a flock of farmed breeding pheasants at a premises near Pilling, Wyre, Lancashire (30 January 2017)
A 10km Surveillance Zones is in place in the following case (dates are when disease was confirmed):
flocks of farmed breeding pheasants at 2 separate premises near Pilling, Wyre, Lancashire (24, 27 January 2017)
a turkey flock near Boston, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (26 January 2017)
Details of older cases where Surveillance Zone and Prevention Zone controls are no longer in place are summarised further down this page. In all such cases, the Prevention Zone restrictions continue to apply.
We’ve included a generic description of the controls we put in place, as well as specific information about individual recent cases below. Our news announcements are listed at avian influenza (bird flu) in winter 2016 to 2017.
When a case is confirmed, we take action at the infected premises and put in place a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone.
Use our interactive map to check if you live within any restriction zones.
Where general or specific licences are available in relation to movements of poultry or poultry meat, they will be listed in further sections below.
Haltwhistle, Northumberland, 24 February 2017
On 24 February 2017 we confirmed a case of avian influenza H5N8 in a small flock of chickens at a farm near Haltwhistle, Northumberland.
Specific information about the restrictions is set out in the
Avian Influenza declaration, Northumberland (24 February 2017)
(PDF, 2.36MB, 14 pages)
.
Redgrave, mid-Suffolk, 14 February 2017
On 14 February 2017 we confirmed a case of avian influenza H5N8 at a poultry premises near Redgrave, mid-Suffolk. This follows a 10km Temporary Control Zone put in place on 13 February following investigation into a suspected case of avian influenza.
Specific information about the restrictions is set out in the
Avian Influenza declaration, Suffolk (14 January 2017)
(PDF, 3.27MB, 14 pages)
(which revokes the previous
Avian Influenza TCZ declaration, Suffolk (13 February 2017)
(PDF, 833KB, 14 pages)
).
Pilling, Wyre, Lancashire, 24, 27 , 30 January 2017
On 27 February 2017 we lifted the 3km Protection Zone (PZ) around the infected premises (flocks of farmed breeding pheasants and other game birds) confirmed on 24 and 27 January 2017 near Pilling, Wyre, Lancashire. We also culled about 280 poultry and other captive birds at a further linked nearby premises.
The Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone for the nearby case declared on 30 January 2017, which cover very similar areas, remain in force so anyone affected in this area is likely still to be covered by restrictions. Use our interactive map to check if you live within any restriction zones.
Specific information about the restrictions for each of the 3 confirmed cases is set out in:
Avian Influenza declaration - Surveillance Zone (merged, IP5), Lancashire (27 February 2017)
(PDF, 2.01MB, 7 pages)
which revoked
Avian Influenza declaration, Lancashire (24 January 2017)
(PDF, 836KB, 14 pages)
Avian Influenza declaration - Surveillance Zone (merged, IP5), Lancashire (27 February 2017)
(PDF, 2.25MB, 7 pages)
which revoked
Avian Influenza declaration, Lancashire (27 January 2017)
(PDF, 1.41MB, 14 pages)
Avian Influenza declaration, Lancashire (30 January 2017)
(PDF, 500KB, 14 pages)
Boston, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, 26 January 2017
On 22 February 2017, the 3km Protection Zone around the infected premises (a turkey flock near Boston, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, on which disease was confirmed on 26 January 2017), was merged with the 10km Surveillance Zone. No new cases of avian influenza have been identified in these zones. The SZ controls remain in place and the Prevention Zone restrictions continue to apply.
Specific information about the restrictions is set out in the
Avian Influenza declaration - Surveillance Zone (merged), Lincolnshire (22 February 2017)
(PDF, 2.56MB, 7 pages)
(which revokes the earlier
Avian Influenza declaration, Lincolnshire (26 January 2017)
(PDF, 831KB, 14 pages)
).
Louth, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, 16 January 2017
On 20 February 2017 we removed the remaining Surveillance Zone restrictions around the infected premises (a commercial unit near Louth, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, on which disease was confirmed on 16 January 2017) after removing the 3km PZ on 11 February 2017.
We have retained the following declarations for now for reference:
Avian Influenza declaration - revocation of Surveillance Zone, Lincolnshire (20 February 2017)
(PDF, 86.1KB, 1 page)
which revokes the earlier
Avian Influenza declaration - Surveillance Zone (merged), Lincolnshire (11 February 2017)
(PDF, 996KB, 7 pages)
(in turn revoked by
Avian Influenza declaration, Lincolnshire (16 January 2017)
(PDF, 803KB, 14 pages)
).
Settle in North Yorkshire, 6 January 2017
On 9 February 2017 we removed the remaining Surveillance Zone restrictions around the infected premises (a small backyard flock of chickens and ducks) near Settle, North Yorkshire, after removing the 3km PZ on 31 January 2017. We originally put the restrictions in place when we confirmed the avian influenza H5N8 case at the premises on 6 January 2017.
We have retained the following declarations for now for reference:
Avian Influenza declaration - revocation of Surveillance Zone, Yorkshire (9 February 2017)
(PDF, 85.5KB, 1 page)
revoked
Avian Influenza declaration - Surveillance Zone (merged), Yorkshire (31 January 2017)
(PDF, 723KB, 7 pages)
which in turn revoked
Avian Influenza declaration - Protection Zone and Surveillance Zone, Yorkshire (6 January 2017 revoked 31 January 2017)
(PDF, 814KB, 14 pages)
.
Wales, 3 January 2017
On 3 January 2017 a case of avian influenza H5N8 was confirmed in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks on a premises in Carmarthenshire. The remaining Surveillance Zone restrictions around the site were removed on 4 February 2017. Details of this case are available on the Welsh Government website.
Louth, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, 16 December 2016
On 18 January 2017 we removed the remaining Surveillance Zone restrictions around a poultry farm near Louth, East Lindsey in Lincolnshire, after removing the 3km PZ on 9 January 2017. We originally put the restrictions in place when we confirmed the avian influenza H5N8 case in turkeys on 16 December 2016.
We have retained the following declarations for now for reference:
Avian Influenza declaration - revocation of Surveillance Zone, Lincolnshire (18 January 2017)
(PDF, 81.8KB, 1 page)
revoked
Avian Influenza declaration - Surveillance Zone (merged), Lincolnshire (9 January 2017)
(PDF, 737KB, 7 pages)
which in turn revoked
Avian Influenza declaration, Lincolnshire (16 December 2016 revoked 9 January 2017)
(PDF, 1.43MB, 13 pages)
).
Infected premises
This is a general description of controls we apply. Consult any specific Declaration in force.
On confirmation of disease, a 10 km Surveillance Zone and an inner Protection Zone of 3 km are put in place around each infected premises. A detailed breakdown of the specific restrictions in place are contained in the declaration imposing these restrictions.
Susceptible animals are culled and their carcases and any other contaminated products of animal origin are safely disposed of. Preliminary cleansing and disinfection is also carried out as part of these activities.
Protection Zone
This is a general description of controls we apply. Consult any specific Declaration in force.
If your premises is within the defined Protection Zone within a 3 km radius of an affected premises you must:
continue to keep poultry and other captive birds in their buildings or isolated from other poultry, captive birds and wild birds
not move poultry or other captive birds without a licence (exceptions apply for pet animals)
not move pigs or other mammals susceptible to avian influenza on or off premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept without a licence
make sure that all bird carcases are disposed of in accordance with veterinary instructions – unless they are seized or disposed of by a veterinary inspector
make sure that appropriate biosecurity measures are in place for people entering or leaving any premises where poultry, other captive birds or eggs are kept
not spread poultry litter, manure and slurry or remove these from your premises
not have bird gatherings or release game birds
not move eggs without a licence - however table eggs may be moved to wholesale, retail premises or subsequent movements (such as when purchased by a consumer)
not move poultry meat within or outside of the zone except in accordance with specific rules set out below
cleanse and disinfect vehicles which may be contaminated
keep specified records eg poultry movements and visitor records
continue to implement the requirements set out in the
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declaration, 6 January 2017
(PDF, 483KB, 2 pages)
All premises within a Protection Zone are also in the associated Surveillance Zone (and the following restrictions also apply).
Surveillance Zone
This is a general description of controls we apply. Consult any specific Declaration in force.
If your premises is within the defined Surveillance Zone within a 10 km radius of an affected premises you must:
continue to keep poultry and other captive birds in their buildings or isolated from other poultry, captive birds and wild birds
not move poultry or other captive birds on or off premises where other birds are kept (exceptions apply for pet animals) without a licence
not move pigs or other mammals susceptible to avian influenza to or from places where poultry or other captive birds are kept without a licence
make sure that appropriate biosecurity measures are in place for people entering or leaving any premises where poultry, other captive birds or eggs are kept
not spread poultry litter, manure and slurry or remove these from your premises
not have bird gatherings or release game birds
not move poultry and eggs out of the zone without a licence - however table eggs may be moved to wholesale, retail premises or subsequent movements (such as when purchased by a consumer)
cleanse and disinfect vehicles which may be contaminated
keep specified records eg poultry movements and visitor records
continue to implement the requirements set out in the
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declaration, 6 January 2017
(PDF, 483KB, 2 pages)
Bird gatherings (such as shows or exhibitions) and the release of game birds are banned
Cleansing and disinfection of vehicles and instruments which may be contaminated must be carried out as soon as materials are unloaded. Vehicles leaving premises within the zone must also be cleaned and disinfected before departing.
General licences
General licences allow a movement or activity that would otherwise be prohibited in England and Wales. You need to check that you meet and comply with the conditions of the general licence. If you do so, you don’t need to apply - you can rely on the general licence as providing authority for the movement or activity. These licences cannot be used if your premises is under other disease control restrictions, for example if it has been identified as a contact with an infected premises.
The following general licences are currently available (the first four, with titles ending in ‘EW’ are also available in Wales):
Movement of mammals to/from premises in the PZ or SZ with poultry or captive birds – general licence EXD 247(AI)(EW)
(PDF, 134KB, 4 pages)
Movement of table eggs within or out of the PZ or SZ – general licence EXD 243(AI)(EW)
(PDF, 140KB, 3 pages)
Movement of poultry carcases off premises in PZ EXD339(AI)(EW)
(PDF, 128KB, 3 pages)
Movement of poultry litter, manure or slurry off premises in PZ or SZ EXD353(AI)(EW)
(PDF, 158KB, 4 pages)
Movement of samples for salmonella testing from the PZ or SZ - general licence EXD 314(AI)
(PDF, 146KB, 3 pages)
EXD249, EXD264 and EXD265 for food business operators in England – see ‘Meat from poultry within the Protection Zone’ below
Specific licences
If you need to move something that is restricted in any Protection Zone or Surveillance Zones currently in force, you should apply now to APHA so that your application can be considered. Please fill in the
Application requesting exemption from restrictions form (EXD100)
(MS Word Document, 224KB)
and send it by email to APHA at outbreak.licensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk (please ignore instructions on the form about signing it and sending it by post).
You should apply as early as possible, preferably at least 7 days before the intended move. All applications will require detailed consideration, which will include a thorough assessment of the disease risks associated with the movement and identify any conditions to mitigate the risk of spreading disease. This assessment will take time and you should include on your application what contingency arrangements you have in place if the licence cannot be issued at that desired time.
If a licence is issued, it will allow a one-off movement and be subject to certain conditions based on disease control risk. Specific licences which are currently being issued on request include:
movement of poultry from the PZ or SZ to slaughter
movements of pullets within the SZ only
Meat from poultry within a Protection Zone in England
Food business operators have to follow some specific rules for any meat produced from poultry or farmed game birds originating within a Protection Zone. We do this to reduce animal health risks. Other poultry meat (that is, from poultry not originating within the Protection Zone) is unaffected.
Meat from poultry or farmed game birds originating within a Protection Zone can be moved or sold, subject to a number of conditions. These include a requirement that the health mark is replaced with a specific mark (approved by the Secretary of State in any particular disease outbreak) which must remain with it throughout any processing or repackaging. These conditions are set out in General Licence EXD249. Under some specific circumstances – set out in General Licence EXD 264 – the recipient of poultry meat is permitted to remove the specific mark temporarily for production, and in some circumstance not to re-apply it. Meat produced from poultry originating from an area that subsequently became a protection zone may also need to comply with these conditions.
The legal requirements are set out in each General Licence but we’ve also published a more detailed explanation of the rules and how they work, including production dates for each of the zones where these special measures apply
Explanation of rules on meat produced from poultry and farmed birds originating in PZs, with list of dates
(PDF, 162KB, 7 pages)
Movement of meat from poultry originating in a PZ - general licence (EXD249(HPAI)(E))
(PDF, 146KB, 3 pages)
Removal of the special mark applied to meat from poultry originating in a PZ - general licence (EXD264(HPAI)(E))
(PDF, 96.1KB, 2 pages)
Movement of certain poultry meat into, within or out of a Protection Zone - General licence (EXD265(HPAI)(E))
(PDF, 99.1KB, 2 pages)
Approval of the mark identifying meat from poultry originating in a PZ
(PDF, 115KB, 2 pages)
Bird fairs, markets, shows and other gatherings
All markets, fairs, shows, exhibitions or other gatherings of birds (regardless of species) are banned within any Protection and Surveillance Zones declared within England.
For the following species of birds, markets, fairs, shows, exhibitions or other gatherings have been banned in England from 20 December 2016 (they are no longer covered by the general licence on bird gatherings) until further notice:
birds of the family galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey)
birds of the family anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans)
birds that are reared or kept in captivity for the production of meat or eggs for consumption, the production of other commercial products, for restocking supplies of game or for the purposes of any breeding programme for the production of these categories of birds
Similar bans are in place in Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For pigeons, aviary birds and certain other captive pet birds (strictly, columbiformes, passerines and psittaciformes), gatherings are only permitted (outside the Protection and Surveillance Zones) subject to strict general licence conditions.
We have published guidance on how to follow the general licence conditions for a bird gathering, and biosecurity advice for bird gathering organisers and participants.
The collection of wild game birds is not affected by these measures.
Compensation
You may be entitled to compensation if your poultry are killed under orders from government or APHA in the event of a disease outbreak. Owners are not entitled to compensation following the declaration of the Prevention Zone.
Trade, import and export issues
We summarise any current issues for UK poultry and poultry product exports on our topical issues page. We also have a collection of guidance and forms for importing and exporting live animals or animal products.
Exports and EU Trade
As soon as disease is confirmed, we put in place measures in accordance with Council Directive 2005/94/EC. A Protection Zone (PZ) of 3 km and Surveillance Zone (SZ) of 10 km are declared around all infected premises containing poultry. No trade is allowed from the affected premises as soon as they are put under restriction. We trace all recent movements from the infected premises.
Imports from the EU
You can’t import poultry and poultry products into the UK from within Protection Zones and Surveillance Zones imposed around confirmed cases of avian flu within other EU countries.
EU trade relies on strict certification for movement of live poultry, day old chicks and hatching eggs. Products such as poultry meat, table eggs and poultry products are not subject to certification within the EU.
Previous cases
(Information about recent cases in England and Wales is set out above.)
A case of low severity (H5N1) avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the Scottish authorities on a poultry breeding farm in Dunfermline on 13 January 2016. Restrictions around the affected site were lifted on 11 February 2016. We published an epidemiological report summarising our investigations into the case.
A case of H7N7 avian flu was confirmed near Preston, Lancashire on 13 July 2015. A low severity case of H7N7 was confirmed on 2 February 2015 in chickens at a farm in Hampshire. A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 was confirmed on 16 November 2014 in ducks on premises in East Yorkshire. Restrictions around the affected sites were lifted on 16 August 2015, 28 February 2015, and 21 December 2014, respectively. We have published reports about the investigations we carried out. Earlier papers about these cases are available on the National Archives website.
Control strategy
Disease control strategy
Cases of avian influenza, if they occur, are controlled by following the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases and the notifiable avian disease control strategy. You can read what happens when a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed.
Legislation on avian influenza
The legislation covering avian influenza includes:
The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006
The Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Poultry) (England) Order 2006
The Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) (England) Order 2006
The Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006
Enforcement
Avian influenza controls are enforced by local authorities.
Penalties for offences
Breach of controls is an offence, with a penalty of up to £5,000 on summary conviction and up to 3 months’ imprisonment per offence.