New bird flu housing rules for North East poultry farmers
Poultry keepers in County Durham are being urged to stay alert after a rise in cases
New rules to tackle bird flu mean poultry keepers in the North East will need to keep their birds indoors from today, after the Chief Veterinary Officer put in place mandatory housing for poultry.
The measures will take effect from 30 October 2025 and apply to keepers of more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products including eggs. The measures do not apply to hobby keepers.
In response to increased findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (commonly known as bird flu) in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds, coupled with heightened risk levels, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures is being introduced for north, central and parts of east of England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
The affected counties and unitary authorities include:
- Cheshire,
- Cumbria,
- Derbyshire,
- Durham,
- East Riding of Yorkshire,
- Greater Manchester,
- Lancashire,
- Leicestershire,
- Lincolnshire,
- Merseyside,
- Norfolk,
- North Yorkshire,
- Northumberland,
- Nottinghamshire,
- Rutland,
- Shropshire,
- South Yorkshire,
- Staffordshire,
- Suffolk,
- Tyne & Wear
- West Yorkshire
You can read more about the latest situation across the UK on the GOV.UK website.
The current risk to human health remains very low; properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remain vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.
The Housing Order and AIPZ will be in place until further notice.