Housing Order across England to be lifted

Published on : 12 May 2025

Defra have confirmed that the Avian Influenza Housing Order across England will be lifted over a seven-day period starting at 00.01 this Thursday, 15th and ending Thursday, 22nd, after which the Housing Order is fully lifted and all free range flocks must have access to the range area. The aim is to allow producers the flexibility to decide when it works best for their flock.

Head of Strategy and Producer Engagement for BFREPA (British Free Range Egg Producers Association) said, "Defra have responded to industry's concerns and has phased in giving birds access to the range over a seven-day period. This allows producers time to acclimatise their birds - some of whom have been housed since December 2024. We welcome Defra's flexible approach to lifting the Housing Order as it gives producers control over when it works best for their birds, taking into account their health and welfare, provided they have access to the range by Thursday, 22 May and thereafter.

"Our members are reminded that the risk of bird flu has not gone away. Indeed, the current risk level, whilst reduced, is still at 'medium' for sub-optimal biosecurity and 'low' with good biosecurity. The requirement to practice enhanced biosecurity still remains in force as part of the AI Prevention Zone. (AIPZ)."

Defra have published some guidance on Preparing to let your birds outside again, which can be accessed here: Bird flu (avian influenza): housing your birds safely - GOV.UK

This is the first Housing Order where producers had not been subject to the "16-week derogation period" for free-range egg marketing - this referred to the maximum duration that eggs could be labelled as free-range while the hens are housed. After 16 weeks of housing, eggs from those hens were labelled and sold as "barn eggs." However, recent consultations and amendments to legislation in England, Wales and Scotland have removed this 16-week limit. Birds can now remain housed under a Housing Order and retain their free-range status until that order is lifted. This change, made earlier this year, has been crucial for the free range sector as, for example, some flocks in East Anglia have been housed since 23 December 2024.

During this 2024-2025 housing order Avian flu season, approximately 2.1 million laying hens and pullets have been humanely culled in an attempt to control the outbreak, with the largest cull being in barn layers' in Wem, Shropshire.

The UK has had five housing orders since November 2014.