Defra will lift housing measures for free range poultry flocks in areas considered to be at lower risk from H5N8 bird flu, which is circulating in Europe. The housing order was extended until 28th February, in light of new cases of the disease in different parts of the UK in January, though the restrictions were causing concern for free-range egg producers, who stood to lose their free-range status if their birds were kept indoors for 12 weeks after the order was first introduced in December.

From 28th February, keepers in lower risk areas will be able to let their birds outside (“provided certain strict biosecurity conditions are met" to protect against avian flu). Birds in higher risk area should be kept indoors or under netting until April, when the measures will be reviewed once more. The plan, announced on Wednesday afternoon, follows advice from the chief veterinary office and is still subject to a final decision which will be made at the end of February.

Areas close to substantial inland or coastal bodies of water, where significant numbers of wild birds collect, are considered higher risk. Defra’s published guidance shows where higher risk areas are likely to be, and the environment department estimates the continued housing order will affect 25% of the country’s poultry producers.

On Wednesday, Chief vet Nigel Gibbens said, “Effective disease control will always be our priority. Based on the current situation, we believe mandatory biosecurity across England, combined with targeted housing or range netting in higher risk areas, is the best option to control disease, protect birds’ welfare and ensure consumers can buy free range products.

“We have acted swiftly to limit the spread of H5N8, including requiring all birds to be housed or kept separate from wild birds. The twelve week housing requirement has allowed keepers time to introduce stricter biosecurity measures and our intention now is to lift this from 28 February. Current rules on housing still remain in place until then, but we are setting out plans now to give people time to prepare. We will keep this decision under review.”

He continued, “H5N8 continues to circulate in wild birds and poultry keepers must remain vigilant. This proposal does not mean a return to business as usual and we will continue to do everything we can to reduce the risk from this disease.”

Defra acknowledged that birds in higher risk areas will no longer be eligible for free-range status as a result of the new rules. Although birds kept indoors will lose their free-range status, keepers that use total netting, aviaries or covered runs to keep their birds apart from wild birds will still be eligible.

Under the plans unveiled on Wednesday, poultry keepers with more than 1,000 birds will have to meet additional biosecurity measures including identifying clearly defined areas where access is limited and vehicles, equipment and footwear must be disinfected.Keepers allowing their birds outside after 28th February must follow guidelines published by Defra on Wednesday, and available here.

Responding to the government’s plans on Wednesday, the NFU producers whose birds will remain indoors will lose their free-range status. NFU President Meurig Raymond said, “Free-range poultry producers now face significant threats to their businesses after Defra’s introduction of Higher Risk Areas. The affected producers will now lose free-range status from 1 March and this will have a considerable effect on the supply chain.
 
“Half of the UK’s national flock is free-range, by far the highest percentage of any EU member state, and this will have a serious effect on the British public where demand for free-range has increased significantly over the past 25 years.”
 
Mr Raymond said, “The NFU will continue to work with industry to help poultry producers prepare for the introduction of Higher Risk Areas and how this will affect their businesses. Defra need to provide clarity specifically on how many free-range birds are affected by the introduction of Higher Risk Areas.”

Vets responding to the measures said they were 'sensible and proporionate'. In a statement, the British Veterinary Association and its specialist poultry arm said, “These measures, informed by the best scientific evidence available in what is a complex situation, are sensible and proportionate. We reiterate the calls for bird keepers in the Higher Risk Areas to keep their poultry separate from wild birds by using housing or netting.

"We know that for farmers and bird keepers in the Higher Risk Areas this will not be the news they were hoping for but it is vital that these important precautions are taken to protect the health of birds. We would also strongly emphasise the need for bird keepers who are not in the Higher Risk Areas to maintain the highest standards of biosecurity, heeding the advice of government, and to remain vigilant to signs of the disease. Any suspicion of Avian Influenza should be reported to the Animal Plant and Health Agency immediately.”