New rules with regard housing poultry to come into force on 14th December

The NFU is urging all poultry keepers to put in place appropriate measures to house their birds, as Defra announces new housing rules will be in place in Great Britain from 14 December.

The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in additional measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following rising cases of Avian Influenza in both wild birds and poultry in the UK.

The new housing measures, announced on 3 December, will come into force on 14 December, meaning that from this date it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to combat the spread of Avian Influenza.