Latest news with #AIPZ
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Bird flu biosecurity measures to be lifted north and south
Bird flu biosecurity measures are to be lifted in the Republic and Northern Ireland from May 31, government departments, north and south, confirmed today (Tuesday, May 27) . Biosecurity regulations for poultry, which had been introduced last December in the Republic, are to be lifted from May 31, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said. Meanwhile the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister, Andrew Muir, also confirmed that in Northern Ireland, both the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and a ban on poultry gatherings will also be lifted from noon May 31. Bird flu According to Minister Heydon, 'the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in our poultry is lower' in summer months than it was over the colder winter months. 'It is appropriate now to lift the regulations which had made strict biosecurity measures compulsory to protect Irish poultry. 'These biosecurity actions are still best practice and I strongly advise anyone with poultry, whether a large farm or a few backyard hens, to continue to implement them,' the minister added. He also warned that 'there is still a risk, and avian influenza is expected to remain a threat to the Irish poultry sector throughout the year'. Minister Heydon added: 'Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks, and must be practised year-round. 'I want to praise the huge efforts which have been made across the poultry sector to protect our poultry industry from avian influenza and the serious consequences of an outbreak'. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has continued to stress that members of the public should not handle sick or dead wild birds and also report any incidences of sick or dead wild birds to their regional veterinary office or via the Avian Check App or the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 Northern Ireland Meanwhile, DAERA said that compulsory biosecurity measures had previously been introduced in Northern Ireland 'to address the risk posed by avian influenza to the poultry sector'. According to Minister Muir, the lifting of these measures is a welcome step. '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,' he added. However Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer, Brian Dooher said while the measures of the AIPZ are no longer a legal requirement, 'the need for stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures are still of paramount importance to help prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to poultry'. 'Any future bird gatherings should also meet the conditions of a general licence and notify the department in advance. 'It is imperative that we don't get complacent. The risk of an avian influenza incursion to poultry is still present, albeit lower than before. Lower risk does not mean no risk,' Dooher added.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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.'
ITV News
14-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Bird flu: Poultry and other birds to be allowed outside again as restrictions lifted
Strict bird flu restrictions which were imposed on poultry farmers across England will be lifted on Thursday. Cases of the avian influenza virus were detected across the country, including Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, in late 2024, leading to thousands of birds being culled in the run-up to Christmas. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the threat of more cases had now fallen, so mandatory housing measures forcing poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors would be lifted from midnight on Thursday. Defra is advising poultry keepers to prepare their outside areas over the coming days for the safe release of the birds, including cleansing and disinfecting hard surfaces. A national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which has been in force since December 13, is still in place, requiring all bird keepers to undertake strict biosecurity measures, including disinfecting footwear, clothing, vehicles, and equipment. Bird gatherings also remain banned.
Agriland
02-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Bird flu: Northern Ireland to lift housing order for poultry
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir has announced that the compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds are to be lifted across Northern Ireland from 12:00pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The housing order in the Republic of Ireland is set to be lifted at the same time. The housing measures were introduced across Northern Ireland on February, 17, 2025 as one of the key measures to stop the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) and has been a vital tool in protecting flocks across the country. Minister Muir said: 'This will be welcome news for poultry keepers across Northern Ireland who have put great effort into keeping their flocks safe. 'The last confirmed case in poultry here was in late February and I want to thank the engagement and cooperation from those poultry farmers who have suffered an incursion of disease this year.' 'With the relaxation of housing requirements my message remains the same to all bird keepers, whether they have just a few birds or thousands, that they must continue to do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on premises so that we do not lose the progress that we have made,' he added. Northern Ireland All flock keepers including backyard and hobby keepers are encouraged to use the next week to prepare their ranges so that birds can be let outside again. Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, has noted: 'The risk of an AI incursion in Northern Ireland has been kept under close review by the department. 'These reviews have considered all the available evidence and have included ongoing and recent engagement with both stakeholders and colleagues in the Republic of Ireland, to determine the most appropriate time to reduce the current protective measures in place,' he added. The ban on the gatherings of galliforme, anseriforme, 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 Northern Ireland to follow strict biosecurity measures.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bird Flu: Birds will be free to roam as control zones to be lifted
A compulsory housing measure on poultry and captive birds in Northern Ireland will soon be lifted, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has announced. The measures, which were to keep all birds and poultry indoors to mitigate the potential spread of avian flu, will be lifted at 12:00 (BST) on Saturday 10 May. The Republic of Ireland will also follow suit and lift the same measures on this date. The move was part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in Northern Ireland, which was introduced on 18 January this gatherings of captive birds are still not permitted. Daera Minister Andrew Muir said the last confirmed case of avian flu in poultry was "in late February" and thanked poultry farmers who have suffered an "incursion of disease this year" for their "engagement and cooperation". Muir added that even with measures relaxed the message "remains the same to all bird they have just a few birds or they must continue to do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on premises". Thousands of birds were culled in Northern Ireland due to avian flu from the start of 2025. Bird flu was confirmed at three commercial poultry premises and a captive bird collection in the Mid Ulster area. Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Doher said, "The risk of an AI incursion in Northern Ireland has been kept under close review by the Department."He added that reviews and evidence have been considered to determine the "most appropriate time to reduce the current protective measures in place". A ban on gatherings will remain in place on birds including galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey and guinea fowl), anseriforme (including ducks, geese and swans) and poultry. This measure is part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) which places a legal requirement on all bird keepers in Northern Ireland to follow strict biosecurity measures.A biosecurity checklist is available on the Daera website.
