Gov.scot uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. We also use non-essential cookies to help us improve our websites. Any data collected is anonymised. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find
out more about cookies
Biosecurity means simple procedures or steps you can take to prevent disease. The risk of bird flu in the UK from wild birds never disappears completely so it is essential that bird keepers maintain effective biosecurity all year round. An outbreak of bird flu in a small hobby or backyard flock can have an impact on the commercial poultry sector through both the introduction of movement restrictions and temporary loss of exports with other countries.
Biosecurity guidance for all bird keepers
Read the biosecurity guidance below, which includes details of measures that should be taken in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. Complete the biosecurity self-assessment checklist to ensure you are complying with the mandatory biosecurity requirements.
Animal Health and Welfare
Scottish Government
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Saughton House
Edinburgh
First published:19 Mar 2021Last updated:24 Nov 2021 - show all updates
Updated self-assessment checklist on Biosecurity page.
Added link to movement of poultry by-products and hatching eggs licence to licensing page.
Updates to latest situation.
Added link to movement of table eggs general licence to licensing page.
'Game birds' section added to Latest situation.
Licensing section updated with link to movement of poultry carcases general licence
Wild bird surveillance section on latest outbreaks page updated.
Minor formatting amendments to licensing page.
Licensing page updated to add link to movement of samples for salmonella testing: general licence.
Amended Dead or sick wild birds: what to do.
Licensing page updated to add link to movement of mammals general licence.
Updated licensing page.
Link to application requesting exemption to restrictions on licensing page amended.
Latest situation updated.
Licence section updated to reflect latest situation.
Changes to Latest situation.
Added link to latest situation publication.
Updated Latest situation.
Updated Latest situation.
Updated Latest situation.
Minor textual changes to Latest situation.
Latest situation updated.
Latest situation updated.
Dead or sick wild birds information updated.
Update to bird gatherings permitted section.
Minor updates to make content clearer.
Latest situation updated with information about general licence for bird gatherings.
Latest situation updated with information about housing measures lifted on 31 March (23:59 hrs).
Link to risk assessment guide and AIPZ declaration added.
Latest situation information updated with information about the Housing order to be lifted 23:59 31 March, but Avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) still in place.
Declaration of end of protection zone and revocation of restricted zone for Glenrothes area.
Latest situation information updated.
Updated to include information about highly pathogenic strain, PZ and SZ specifications and general licence on mammal movement.
Latest situation information updated re declaration of two Temporary Control Zones in Glenrothes.
Latest situation information updated.
Wild bird surveillance information updated.
Updated the licencing page to say the licence has been revoked.
Latest situation information updated.
Update adding link to end of surveillance zone protection declaration, and additional locations for presence of H5 vaccine
Duck, geese and gamebirds poster added as well as link to Avian Influenza Prevention Zone poster.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situation information updated.
Added new section on licencing for Protection and Surveillance Zones.
Updated latest information section.
Information about disposing of dead wild birds found on private property added.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situation information updated.
information added to the dead or sick wild birds: what to do section
Latest situation information updated to include Avian influenza H5N8 (pathogenicity to be confirmed) has been confirmed in poultry and captive birds at a premises near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Latest situation information updated.
Latest situated information updated to reflect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the H5N8 strain has been confirmed in broiler breeder chickens at a premises near Leominster in Herefordshire.
Latest situated information updated to reflect the declaration of an Avian influenza Prevention Zone has been declared across the whole of Scotland as of 17:00 on 11 November 2020.
Latest situation updated to reflect two unrelated confirmed cases of avian influenza in England and increasing reports of avian influenza affecting flocks in mainland Europe.
Pathogen information updated to reflect latest results.
Latest information updated to include links to 2 new outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Cheshire and Kent.
Latest situation updated to reflect the fact that here are currently no restrictions.
