An avian influenza (bird flu) prevention zone (AIPZ) is to be introduced in Northern Ireland, Minister for Agriculture Andrew Muir has confirmed.
The decision follows confirmation on Wednesday ( January 15) of bird flu in a sample collected from a wild goose found near Black Lough, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
This was the first wild bird positive case in Northern Ireland since September 2023.
Two further wild birds have tested positive for bird flu on Friday; one was a buzzard found near Moira and the other a whooper swan in Portballintrae.
Bird flu
Minister Muir said that the prevention zone will come into operation from 12:00p.m today (Saturday, January 18).
The AIPZ places a legal requirement on all bird keepers in Northern Ireland to follow strict biosecurity measures.
This requirement applies if somebody is keeping pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard or hobby flock.
Minister Muir said that all flock keepers should “take immediate action on biosecurity and good farm practice to reduce the risk of incursion of avian influenza into the Northern Ireland poultry flock”.
“Northern Ireland relies heavily on the agri-food industry as a source of employment. Poultry and egg production contributes significantly to the economy, and is valued at over £600 million, it is vital that we protect this industry,” he said.
Chief veterinary officer for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, added that the measures in the AIPZ include “stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures”.
He said that this is to “help prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to poultry”.
Dooher said there is a requirement that poultry or other captive birds are provided with food and water to which wild birds have no access, and mandatory rules on cleansing and disinfection.
“There is currently no requirement for poultry to be housed and bird gatherings are not prohibited at this stage, but this will be kept under constant review.
“I would encourage all flock keepers, even if you keep just one bird, to improve biosecurity in order to prevent an incursion of the disease into our poultry flock.
“If avian influenza were to enter our Northern Ireland flock, it would have a significant and devastating impact on our poultry industry, international trade and the wider economy,” he said.
Bird flu is a notifiable disease, anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must report it to their local Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO).
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has urged anyone who has not registered their flock, however small, to do so. This will allow the department to provide updates directly.
The Public Health Agency has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advised that there is a very low risk to public health from the consumption of properly cooked poultry meat or eggs provided appropriate hygiene measures are followed.
