Press release: Housing order introduced in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex to protect poultry and captive birds

• Good biosecurity is an essential defence against diseases such as avian influenza and is key to limiting the spread of avian influenza in an outbreak.
• A regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex was introduced on the 27^th September 2022. The AIPZ made it a legal requirement for all bird keepers in the area (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
• The escalating transmission risk in this hotspot area has prompted Defra to take further action and announce that from 00:01 on the 12th October 2022 a regional housing measure for the hotspot area of Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex will come into force as an additional biosecurity measure to those already in force in the AIPZ in the area. Definitive requirements are available in the AIPZ with housing declaration which will come into force at 00:01 on the 12^th October 2022.
• We are now encouraging all bird keepers in the affected regions to use the next few days to prepare, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their private vet and expand housing where necessary.
• Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist have been published by Defra to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity including mandatory measures when an AIPZ is in force, which together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation, can be found via GOV.UK/Bird-flu.
• The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly and part of Somerset remains in force without housing measures until further notice.