HOUSING measures for birds and poultry have been introduced in Northern Ireland in a bid to stop the spread of bird flu.
The order, implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), requires owners of pet birds, commercial flocks, backyard flocks, and hobby flocks to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separate from wild birds from Monday.
The decision to introduce the restrictions was made before it was announced at the weekend that 64,000 birds were culled in Co Tyrone following a suspected case of avian flu.
Similar measures are also being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in Ireland.
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said: “This will help ensure industry across both jurisdictions are protected as much as possible as we move through the remainder of this HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) season.
“This decision will mean that all poultry and captive bird keepers must keep their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds.
“This strengthens actions taken by my department to ensure mandatory biosecurity measures were implemented, since 18 January 2025.”
Disease control measures were initiated by the department following suspicion of a case of avian flu at a commercial poultry premises near Dungannon on Friday.
Mr Muir said: “A suspect case of notifiable Avian Influenza was reported on Friday 14 February and initial results suggested the presence of notifiable HPAI.
“Following further investigation, the CVO (Chief Veterinary Officer) has taken the decision, as a precautionary measure, to apply appropriate disease control measures, including the humane culling of all poultry on site (64,000) and the introduction of Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread.
“This suspected incursion of HPAI, following the recently confirmed case at a captive bird premises near Magherafelt further shows we cannot afford to be complacent.
“It is crucial that all bird owners – from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers with thousands of birds – adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and report any suspect cases to the Department as soon as possible.”
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has applied across Northern Ireland since January 18.
The AIPZ places a legal requirement on all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.
Following the suspected case in Co Tyrone, CVO Brian Dooher said: “The disease control measures have been taken to limit any potential spread of disease and I appeal to all bird owners – backyard and commercial – to take all necessary steps to protect your flock.
“This includes ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and adhering to all the requirements mandated under the AIPZ.
“Samples from the infected premises have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory to confirm strain and pathogenicity.
“Should HPAI be officially confirmed, these TCZs will be revoked and replaced with a three kilometre Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone (SZ).”
