England Bird Flu Prevention Zone Extended – Mandatory Housing from 6 November 2025

England-Wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) Update – November 2025

Following the latest update from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), England remains under an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory housing measures coming into force from 00:01 on 6 November 2025.

This update replaces the previous January 2025 regional declaration and now applies to the whole of England as part of national efforts to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Key Details:

• Effective Date:
  From 00:01, Thursday 6 November 2025, all bird keepers in England must house their birds.

• Who Must House Birds:

  • Anyone keeping more than 50 birds of any species.

  • Anyone keeping any number of poultry, including those selling or giving away eggs, poultry products, or live birds.

  • Those keeping fewer than 50 birds for personal use only (e.g. eggs for your own household) are exempt from mandatory housing but must follow enhanced biosecurity rules.

• Areas Previously Affected (30 October 2025):
  Counties such as Cheshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Lancashire, and Yorkshire were already under mandatory housing, and these rules now expand nationwide.

What This Means for Bird Keepers

All bird keepers in England should:

1. Check the Disease Zone Map
   Review your area on the GOV.UK Bird Flu Disease Zone Map and ensure compliance with the updated declaration.

2. House Birds Where Required
   Protect poultry and captive birds from contact with wild birds and contaminated environments.

3. Implement Enhanced Biosecurity Measures
   Disinfect equipment, footwear, and vehicles; store feed and bedding securely; and prevent access by wild birds.

4. Seek Professional Support Where Needed
   For poultry farms and smallholdings, professional-grade disinfectants and fogging systems can assist with biosecurity compliance.
   (Saniworld supplies a range of Defra-approved poultry disinfectants and fogging equipment to support AIPZ standards.)

Why These Measures Are Important

The new national housing requirement follows the continued detection of bird flu across the UK. These preventative steps are critical to:

• Reduce virus transmission between wild and kept birds.

• Safeguard poultry production, animal welfare, and food supply chains.

• Maintain the UK’s reputation for strong animal health management.

Further Information

• Full declaration: GOV.UK – Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England)

• Updated 4 November 2025, effective 6 November 2025

• Departments: Defra and APHA