Avian Flu - update 04.08.2025

As we are most probably all aware, some of the Exmoor National Park and surrounding areas have been put into a control- or surveillanvce zone. (The following are extractions from the government webpage, for the full information please refer to www.gov.uk/avianflu.)

So - what does that mean for us?

The whole of England is currently in a bird flu prevention zone. By law you must follow strict biosecurity and hygiene rules, including:

• keep ducks and geese separate from other birds
• prevent contact with wild birds and rodents
• clean housing, equipment, vehicles and footwear
• keep records of bird movements, deaths and eggs
• additional rules if you keep more than 500 birds

Rules in bird flu disease control zones

By law, you must follow the rules for the disease control zone that you’re in. If bird flu is suspected, 3km and 10km temporary control zones may be put in place around the infected premises. (To find out if or which zone you are in, cosult the avian flu map tool on the goverment web page).

If bird flu is confirmed, disease control zones are put in place around the premises to stop it spreading:

When a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (the most serious type of bird flu) has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds, one of the following controls are put in place around the infected premises:

• a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone
• a 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone

When a case of low pathogenic avian influenza (the less serious type of bird flu) has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds, a 1km restricted zone may be put in place around the infected premises.

Sometimes larger zones are put in place to reduce the risk of bird flu spreading.

In all disease control zones, you must:

• follow the biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading
• keep a record of anyone that transports or markets poultry or poultry eggs (there are exemptions for table eggs)
• follow the rules for marking, sourcing, cutting, transporting and storing fresh meat and meat products
• comply with any biosecurity rules imposed by a veterinary inspector
• not organise or attend bird gatherings (including bird fairs, markets, shows, sales, exhibitions and some premises used for dealing or internet sales)
• not release game birds

3km protection zones and 3km temporary control zones

In 3km protection zones and 3km temporary control zones, you must:

• follow the rules for 10km surveillance zones and 10km temporary control zones
• keep poultry and other captive birds housed
• follow the instructions from your veterinary inspector to dispose of any bird carcasses
• not spread poultry litter, manure or slurry, or remove them from your premises
• not move poultry or other captive birds onto or off your premises without a licence (there are exceptions for pets)
• not move eggs without a licence (you can move table eggs to wholesale or retail premises to be sold directly to consumers)
• not move poultry meat inside or outside the zone, unless you apply for a licence

10km surveillance zones, 10km temporary control zones and 10km restricted zones

If you’re in a 10km surveillance zone or a 10km temporary control zone, you must:

• keep a record of all poultry or poultry eggs that enter or leave your premises, except table eggs that are being moved direct to wholesale or retail premises to be sold directly to consumers
• not move poultry, other captive birds, or mammals (including pigs) to or from premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept without a licence (there are exceptions for pets)
• not spread poultry litter, manure or slurry, or remove them from your premises

Captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone

If you’re in a captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone, you must:

• keep poultry and other captive birds housed - find out how to
• keep a record of all poultry or poultry eggs that enter or leave your premises, except eggs that are being moved direct to wholesale or retail premises to be sold

For the latest and up to date informatio please contact DEFRA or find advice on www.gov.uk/avianflu.