An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will be introduced in
Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Saturday 1 November 2025,
Agriculture Minister has confirmed.
The AIPZ places a legal requirement on all bird keepers in
Northern Ireland to follow strict biosecurity measures. This
applies if you keep pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few
birds in a backyard or hobby flock.
Announcing the introduction of the AIPZ, Minister Muir said:
“With the onset of winter migration, the risk of Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) introduction via wild birds is
heightened. An incursion of HPAI can cause devastating impacts
for those affected and our wider industry. I am therefore asking
all bird keepers to now take the appropriate action to protect
your birds, the Northern Ireland flock and wider agri-food
industry.
“The biosecurity measures required under the AIPZ are
vital tools in our fight against this disease and I am pleased
that we have been able to co-ordinate with the Department of
Agriculture, Food and Marine in the Republic of Ireland where
mandatory biosecurity measures for all poultry and captive birds
will be introduced at the same time as the introduction of the
AIPZ across Northern Ireland.”
Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Mr Brian Dooher,
added: “The measures in the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone
include stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures to help prevent
the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to
poultry; a requirement that poultry or other captive birds are
provided with food and water to which wild birds have no access,
and mandatory rules on cleansing and disinfection.
“There is currently no requirement for poultry to be housed, and
bird gatherings are not prohibited at this stage, but this will
be kept under constant review.
“I would encourage all flock keepers, even if you keep just one
bird, to review and reinforce your biosecurity in order to
prevent an incursion of the disease into our poultry flock. Avian
Influenza can have a significant and devastating impact on our
poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy, it
is imperative that we do not become complacent.”
If not already registered, DAERA encourages you to register your
flock (however small) so that we can reach you directly with
future communications and updates. You can register by contacting
your local DAERA Direct office or online via the DAERA website:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bird-registration-form.
You can also sign up to the avian influenza text alert service
simply by texting 'BIRDS OPT IN'
to 07860 098 672.
Notes to editors:
- Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects
an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it
to their local Divisional Veterinary Office. Contact details can
be found at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/contacts/daera-direct-regional-offices.
- A copy of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ)
declaration will be available at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/declarations.
- The Public Health Agency has noted that avian influenza is
primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's
health is very low.
- The Food Standards Agency has noted that avian influenza
poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and that
properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are
safe to eat.
- All poultry and other birds must be registered with DAERA.
The application form is available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bird-registration-form.
- More information about Avian Influenza - including
biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment tool - is
available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/clinical-signs-biosecurity-checklist-and-guidance.
- Members of the public are encouraged to report findings of
dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds,
such as gulls or birds of prey, using the DAERA Dead Wild
Bird Online Reporting Tool at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-dead-wild-bird-online-reporting-tool.
