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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.
RTÉ News
29-04-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Poultry order issued over bird flu risk to be lifted
The Department of Agriculture has announced it is lifting the compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds that was in place due to the risk of avian influenza, or bird flu. The order was introduced in February due to the heightened risk of bird flu. The housing order will be revoked on 10 May. While no outbreaks of a highly infectious bird flu strain have been detected in poultry in Ireland last year or this year, there were three outbreaks on commercial poultry farms in the North and one in captive birds there. 19 wild birds tested positive for bird flu in Ireland during the first three months of the year. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said that "the risk of avian influenza to our poultry is no longer as high as it had been in recent months, so it is now appropriate to lift the housing order and prohibition on the assembly of live birds. He said: "I want to acknowledge the hard work and cooperation from the Irish poultry industry in recent months, with farmers, vets, processors and others all working together to reduce the chances of an outbreak which could have had such serious consequences. "It is important to note that avian influenza is still a risk and will remain a threat to Irish poultry for the foreseeable future." Despite the lifting of the housing order, strict biosecurity regulations for poultry farms that were introduced last December remain in place. Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any such incidents to their Regional Veterinary Office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 or use the Department's Avian Check App. Bird flu poses a low risk to humans and means foods such as eggs and chicken are still safe to eat, so long as they are properly cooked and prepared as normal.
