An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for all poultry and captive birds will remain in force in Northern Ireland until the end of April, it has been announced.
While the current AIPZ remains in place until 16 March, the requirements of the zone will be amended after that point.
This means that keepers will have the option of letting their birds outside, provided they put in place additional biosecurity mitigation measures to minimise the risk of infection from wild birds.
These measures in the new zone will apply across all of Northern Ireland.
The Chief Veterinary Officer, Robert Huey, said: “The decision to put in place a new Avian Influenza Protection Zone from 17 March is based on sound expert and industry advice. The risk of infection from wild birds is unlikely to decrease in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks, particularly as H5N8 has been confirmed in wild birds here.
“The current housing requirement, which is due to end on 16 March, has allowed keepers time to introduce stricter biosecurity measures. Therefore it is our intention to lift the mandatory requirement to house after this date, subject to keepers maintaining the highest possible levels of biosecurity.”
'Don't stop being vigilant'
Mr Huey stressed that removing the requirement to house birds did not mean that poultry keepers should stop being vigilant.
He said the proposal to allow birds outside does not mean a return to business as usual.
“It will be necessary for all keepers to continue to ensure that their birds are protected from infection. Key to this will be practising additional biosecurity measures, coupled with ensuring that their birds are separated from wild birds when outside. Keepers should of course continue to house their birds if that is the best way to protect them from disease.”
Ulster Farmers’ Union poultry chairman Tom Forgrave said the Union fully supports DAERA’s decision to continue with the prevention zone until the end of April.
He said: “The priority for bird keepers will be the safety of their flock, and they will continue to act responsibly in order to protect their birds. I would encourage producers to think carefully about the amended prevention zone restrictions and weigh up the possible risks of allowing birds outside even with additional biosecurity measures.”
Implications for free-range
This further extension does have implications for members with free-range enterprises.
Under European Union rules, if birds have been housed for more than 12 weeks the labels on egg-packs need to reflect this.
In the rest of the UK, the industry have introduced a label for free-range egg cartons stating the contents were ‘laid by hens temporarily housed in barns for their welfare’.
The UFU says Northern Ireland should take similar action: Mr Forgrave said: “Birds in GB have been under a prevention zone order for longer than Northern Ireland so free-range producers are already facing this labelling issue and we believe similar action should be taken here.
“Research by the British Egg Industry Council shows that consumers are supportive of farmers putting birds' health first. It is important to remember that these are temporary measures, in place to protect the health of the flock, and these birds are still free-range hens.
“I would encourage consumers and retailers to continue to support free-range poultry farmers during this challenging time, ensuring that once the risk of bird flu has passed Northern Ireland producers are in a position to supply the free-range market,” said the Mr Forgrave.
