Published: 13 Apr 2017 | Last Updated: 20 Apr 2017 09:07:57

Defra has announced that with effect from 13 April 2017 there will be some significant relaxation to the measures to control Bird Flu in England.

These mean that it is no longer a requirement to house all poultry and captive birds in England. and the control measures across the UK are now broadly similar.

However it is important to realise that the risk to birds of catching AI is still significant. There is still a legal requirement for Enhanced Biosecurity measures to be applied. The most significant of these are:

• Birds must be kept in a fenced enclosure
• It is still vital that measures are taken to keep poultry and captive birds away from wild birds
• There is no longer a need to use netting but it is vital to keep poultry and captive birds away from wild birds 
• Make sure wild birds cannot gain access to feed and water supplies
• Continue to feed birds inside whenever possible
• Ensure your birds do not have access to water and ponds which wild birds visit
• Ensure the area or areas where your birds are kept and maintained in a clean and tidy state
• Ensure visitors are kept to an absolute minimum and all footwear used is kept clean and disinfected 

The ban on poultry gatherings is still in force.

Additional requirements are in place for those keeping 500 birds or more.

The Prevention Zone that was put in place in December 2016 is still in force.

Full details can be found on the Defra website.