LONDON: The UK government will require poultry keepers in England with 50 or more birds to house their flocks from Friday, citing a growing risk of avian flu as migratory birds arrive in Britain.
The restriction also covers people who sell or give away eggs or poultry products. Officials confirmed four cases among domestic poultry in Britain between September 30 and November 6. During that period, 16 cases of a bird flu strain were found in wild birds in England, prompting authorities to raise the wild-bird risk assessment across Britain from medium to high.
New biosecurity rules take effect immediately. They include disinfecting footwear and regularly cleaning and disinfecting poultry housing and concrete walkways.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss urged bird keepers to follow the housing requirements, strengthen biosecurity and report suspected infections promptly.
The government said it does not expect the measures to affect the supply of Christmas turkeys or other seasonal poultry. The risk to human health remains very low, officials added.
