Nationwide AIPZ declared across England, Scotland and Wales

29 Ionawr 2025

An all-Wales AIPZ will come into force from 00:01 on Thursday 30 January, following the declaration of an AIPZ across England and Scotland on 25 January and regional housing measures in the counties of York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire.

The Welsh government will introduce an AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone) across all of Wales from 00:01 on Thursday 30 January 2025. Although no cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been confirmed in Wales so far, the measures are being introduced to protect the national flock as cases increase elsewhere across Great Britain.

The introduction of an all-Wales AIPZ follows the declaration of an AIPZ across England and Scotland, which came into force on Saturday 25 January.

This means that from midday on Saturday 25 January in England and Scotland, and from midnight on Thursday 30 January in Wales, it became a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza.

This nationwide AIPZ does not include national housing measures but Defra have announced housing measures for York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire in addition to those already in place in some counties in the east of England –  East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

“While housing measures have been extended into York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire we urge the respective governments to keep this under constant review and extend this requirement where necessary.”

NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead

Constant review needed

Speaking on 24 January, NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said: “The NFU Poultry Board met this week and supported the introduction of a GB wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone which would introduce mandatory biosecurity measures for all bird keepers. The NFU also requested the government to implement GB wide housing measures which would be an important part of a suite of measures to help prevent any further outbreaks of this devastating disease.

"We are pleased the government has acted promptly on this issue to protect the national flock with an AIPZ being implemented across England and Scotland with Welsh Government expected to follow shortly. While housing measures have been extended into York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire we urge the respective governments to keep this under constant review and extend this requirement where necessary.

"Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.

“In light of cases of avian influenza being confirmed and the increased risk levels for both wild birds and poultry, I urge all bird keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant, maintain stringent biosecurity measures and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”

‘We must not be complacent’

Speaking after the all-Wales AIPZ was announced, NFU Cymru Poultry chair Richard Williams said: “Unfortunately the UK poultry industry is all too familiar with the devastating impact that AI can have on our flocks and our businesses in recent years. Given the worsening disease picture in other parts of the UK this season, it is absolutely imperative that poultry keepers – whether that’s commercial businesses or small backyard flocks – do all they can to protect our birds from this disease.

“The announcement of an all-Wales AIPZ recognises the increased risk to Welsh flocks. Although there aren’t currently any AI cases in Wales, we must not be complacent.

“I urge all poultry keepers to heed the advice and warnings being given by Welsh Government, employ enhanced biosecurity measures and remain vigilant for signs of the disease.”

AIPZ in East of England (including housing measures)

New mandatory housing measures were declared by Defra in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk noon on Monday 23 December 2024. All bird keepers in the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk must keep their birds housed to protect them from avian influenza. This order applies to all poultry keepers, irrespective of the scale or size of their flock.

These measures are in addition to the requirement to follow the stringent biosecurity measures set out in the AIPZ (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone), which have been in force across parts of the East of England since the 13 December.

Mandatory housing also applies in any 3km Protection Zone surrounding an infected premises.

Keepers should remain alert

UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: “Given the continued increasing number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease.

“I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them while continuing to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”

What does this mean for bird keepers?

The Secretary of State has carried out a risk assessment and requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds including pet birds in the AIPZ to comply with the minimum biosecurity measures set out in schedule 1 of the declaration.

All keepers who keep 500 or more poultry or other captive birds in any part of the AIPZ must comply with the measures in schedule 1 and in addition comply with the measures in schedule 2 of the declaration.

All keepers of poultry and other captive birds must in addition comply with the measures set out in Schedule 3 to this declaration in the AIPZ.

There are different requirements for keepers of poultry or other captive birds at a premises licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, keepers of racing pigeons, doves or other Columbiformes and keepers of birds of prey or other birds trained to fly from hand or under close control in the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.

These keepers can find out more information about what measures they should be taking in the various schedules of the government’s AIPZ declaration.

I urge all poultry keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”

NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead

A summary of requirements bird keepers in the AIPZ must meet are listed below but all keepers are encouraged to read Defra’s declaration in full to see what the full requirements are as these are dependent on how many birds you have:

  • keep feed and bedding inside
  • 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
  • carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept
  • thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
  • keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
  • make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use bird scarers, foils or streamers)

If disease is suspected

If you suspect bird flu in poultry or other captive birds, you must report it immediately by calling:

Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.

This page was first published on 04 Gorffennaf 2023. It was updated on 29 Ionawr 2025.


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