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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.
Reviewed and updated to link to latest avian influenza declaration because housing measures have been lifted.
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Legislation page amended to add link to the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Birds etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendment and Revocation) (Scotland) Order 2021.
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Added link to movement of poultry by-products and hatching eggs licence to licensing page.
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Licensing section updated with link to movement of poultry carcases general licence
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Licensing page updated to add link to movement of samples for salmonella testing: general licence.
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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.
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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.
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Added new section on licencing for Protection and Surveillance Zones.
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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.
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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.
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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.
