An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across the whole of Wales from Thursday 30 January 2025.
This zone introduces strict biosecurity measures for all bird keepers, with the aim of helping to prevent the spread of avian influenza from wild birds or any other source.
The AIPZ does not include a requirement to house birds. However, this is being kept under constant review.
The zone will remain in place until a reduction in risk levels indicates it is no longer required. The requirements within the AIPZ and other measures to reduce the risk of avian influenza transmission will be under ongoing review.
Similar measures are in place in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In a written statement, Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister, wrote: “There have been no cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) confirmed in poultry or other kept birds in Wales so far this outbreak season. However, the number of cases in poultry flocks continues to increase across Great Britain and there is a heightened risk of transmission from wild to kept birds.”
The AIPZ will require all keepers of poultry and other captive birds, irrespective of the size of the flock or how the birds are kept, to take appropriate and practicable steps now, including:
- Ensuring the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example, by netting ponds and surrounding areas and by removing wild bird food sources;
- Feeding and watering flocks in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;
- Minimising movement of people in and out of bird enclosures;
- Cleaning and disinfecting footwear, using foot dips before entering poultry enclosures, and keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy;
- Reducing any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas and fencing off wet or boggy areas;
- Keeping domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;
- Wild game birds “caught up” during the open season must not be moved for a minimum of 21 days, subject to conditions within the declaration.