Housing measures introduced in the East Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk areas

Published on : 21 Dec 2024

Housing measures introduced in the North East and East to protect poultry and other captive birds

Keepers in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk must follow the housing order

New mandatory housing measures have been introduced across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk following a decision by the United Kingdom’s Chief Veterinary Officer. These enhanced measures are in response to the escalating local risk and number of cases of bird flu in the area.

This means from noon on 23 December all bird keepers in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must keep their birds housed to protect them from bird flu. These measures are in addition the requirement to follow the stringent biosecurity measures which have been in force across the area since the 13 December as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

Bird keepers are advised to consult the interactive map to check if they are impacted and should then read the new regional AIPZ with housing measure declaration [updated link to be added] which sets out the requirements in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“There continues to be a growing number of avian influenza cases on commercial farms and in backyard flocks across the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and in Norfolk and Suffolk.

"To reduce the risk of further cases we are now introducing a mandatory housing order to help keep birds safe from this high infectious disease.

“Bird keepers within the remit of housing measures are encouraged to act immediately to house their birds. Prompt action will help prevent the spread of disease. You should also continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of avian influenza and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”


The Chief Veterinary Officer is now encouraging all bird keepers in the affected regions to take action now to comply with the new mandatory housing measures and protect the health of their birds, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare. Keepers should consult their private vet and expand and enhance housing where necessary. In addition to areas where an AIPZ including housing is in force, in order to mitigate the risk of disease spread, mandatory housing for all poultry and other captive birds also applies in any 3km Protection Zone in force surrounding infected premises.

The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the AIPZ last week, covering the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The AIPZ means that all bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

A high standard of biosecurity, separation of poultry from wild birds including through housing in the areas of highest risk, heightened vigilance by bird keepers, and regular monitoring for signs of disease remain the most effective means of controlling an outbreak of bird flu and protecting flocks both in the area and across the country from bird flu.

The prevention measures introduced through an AIPZ are introduced in a phased and escalating manner proportionate to the escalating risk to an area. The need for AIPZs is kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu. Any decisions on when to reintroduce a national or further regional AIPZs or extend AIPZs to include housing measures are based on risk assessments built on the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.

The housing measure means bird keepers in the affected area must:

• house all poultry and captive birds (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds)
• keep feed and bedding inside
• cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds– if practical, use disposable protective clothing
• reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products
• carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept
• thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing and concrete walkways on a continuous basis
• keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
• make your premises unattractive to wild birds (e.g. use bird scarers, foils or streamers)

The current risk to human health remains very low and properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.

BFREPA issued a statement as follows:

BFREPA support the proactive housing of free-range layers in East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk as a proportionate response by Defra to protect our birds as well as an attempt to get ahead of this disease which is such a threat to our free range flocks. We have seen over fifty cases with the disease confirmed in wild birds across GB and twelve cases in poultry, eleven of which have been in Eastern England. Good biosecurity all of the time is the key and our members are doing all they can to protect their flocks and livelihood at this difficult time however, temporarily housing their birds will help.

BFREPA has indeed been calling for a Housing Order, on a regional basis for some time, given the increase in cases on the Continent and the concern that this has increasingly caused to our members. In addition, the disease is principally spread by waterfowl migrating from the North West of Europe into the UK as they head South and West to over winter. Peak migration is yet to be reached and so the risk to our domestic flocks is increasing and, indeed, the Defra risk levels have recently been increased to reflect this.

We hope that the Housing Order will be lifted at the earliest opportunity so that our hens can again enjoy access to open fields once the risk of disease has reduced to an acceptable level. In the meantime, farmers will be keeping their hens entertained with a mixture of additional toys and other measures to ensure that their welfare is maintained for the duration of the Housing Order.