Herefordshire Council is advising all bird keepers to follow the latest government advice to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
Avian influenza circulates naturally in wild birds and when they migrate to the UK from mainland Europe over the winter they can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures came into force across all of England and Scotland in January 2025, meaning it was a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.
From Sunday 16 February 2025 these measures are being enhanced in the county when mandatory housing, which already in place in other parts of the country, will be extended to cover Herefordshire.
All bird keepers in Herefordshire must keep their birds housed to protect them from bird flu. This applies to pet birds, commercial flocks and just a few birds in a backyard flock.
The latest government updates on Avian Flu can be found on the government’s website
