27-05-2025
Bird Flu: Ban on poultry gatherings to be lifted this Saturday
DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir, has announced that the Avian Influenza (AI) Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in force across Northern Ireland, including the current ban on poultry gatherings, will both be lifted this Saturday.
The move follows the lifting of compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds which took effect on May 10.
The measures, imposing a range of compulsory biosecurity measures on poultry flocks, were introduced on January 18, 2025.
The aim of the AIPZ was to address the risk posed by avian influenza to the poultry sector and was a vital tool in protecting flocks across NI from the disease which was circulating in wild birds.
Minister Muir said: 'I have taken the decision to lift the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, including the ban on gatherings, effective from noon 31 May 2025.
'This is a welcome step, and I want to thank all flock keepers for their vigilance and adherence to good biosecurity measures. This has undoubtedly limited the spread of this disease in NI over the recent months.
'Thanks to the determined efforts from the poultry sector in Northern Ireland to protect their flocks and minimise the impact of disease, we are now in a position to lift the AIPZ and reduce all mandatory restrictions placed on bird keepers.
"I'm sure this will be welcome news for the sector which contributes greatly to our economy and wider society. I am aware that my counterpart in the Republic of Ireland has also made a similar decision for a lifting of the AIPZ there on the same date.'
