Avian Influenza

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force across Great Britain on the 3 November 2021. This was extended to include housing measures across the UK on the 29 November 2021.  These measures mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) to keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

The AIPZ in England means that bird keepers must:

• house or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
• minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

The Government’s latest guidance on avian influenza, including biosecurity measures, how to spot the disease and what action you should take to report it, can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu.

If you suspect any type of avian influenza in your poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by call the DEFRA Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

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 335577.  Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

It is a legal requirement for flocks of over 50 to be registered with APHA, and you may voluntary register flocks of below 50 birds: Poultry (including game birds): registration rules and forms - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you would like to notify Hartlepool Borough Council that you are a bird keeper please contact the Trading Standards team on 01429 523362 or by emailing trading.standards@hartlepool.gov.uk If you chose to notify the team via email please can you give your name, address, location of birds, species of bird and flock size. This notification will assist with the teams’ preparedness if a local outbreak was to occur.