Tyrone countryside. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union says the Northern Ireland poultry industry is moving in the right direction as poultry producers prepare to release their flock into controlled outdoor areas putting appropriate biosecurity measures in place. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir, announced last week that housing measures for poultry and captive birds that were introduced to stop the spread of Avian Influenza (AI), will be lifted from 12:00 noon on Saturday 10 May 2025. The Republic of Ireland will also lift their mandatory housing requirement at the same time.
UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy said, “The announcement by Minister Muir that the housing order will be lifted this weekend is very welcome and will be well received by our members. It reflects the hard work, vigilance and commitment of poultry keepers across NI, who have upheld strict biosecurity practices throughout the AI threat.
Although the last confirmed case of AI in poultry was in February, we must remain vigilant. Continued high biosecurity standards are vital to protect bird health and safeguard the wider industry, including small-scale and backyard keepers.
As birds return outdoors, the UFU urges all poultry keepers to:
- Maintain regular cleaning and disinfection of hard surfaces.
- Fence off ponds or areas of standing water to prevent contact with wild birds.
- Use deterrents to discourage wild birds from approaching flocks.
- Control access to sites by limiting visitors to those essential for operations.
- Ensure workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.
- Pay close attention to the disinfection of equipment, vehicles, and clothing.
The ban on the gatherings of galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl), anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans) and poultry will remain in place as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) which places a legal requirement on all bird keepers in NI to follow strict biosecurity measures.
Guidance on steps to take before letting birds outside is available on the DAERA website.
