Update for farms with poultry in areas affected by Avian Influenza Mandatory Housing Order

Defra have announced that due to the identified reduced risk of avian influenza, the mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will start to be lifted across England from Thursday 15 May 2025.

This means that birds in areas affected by the mandatory housing order can be kept outside after this date unless they remain in a Protection zone or Captive Bird Monitoring Zone.

As birds may have been housed for a long period, Defra are allowing a 7 day transition period from 15 May to allow for birds to be given gradual access to outside areas where it is needed to minimise welfare issues. After the 7 day transition period birds that are organic or free-range will need to have access to outside areas.

Please make sure that you put measures in place for the safe release of your birds. Although the risks of avian influenza have reduced, some risk still remains, so the preparation of outside areas should include appropriate measures to minimise risks to your birds from wild birds.

Strict biosecurity measures will still be required across England, Scotland and Wales and poultry gatherings, such as markets are still prohibited.

If you have any questions or concerns about the impact on your organic flock, please contact farming.growing@soilassociation.org.