Trading standards officers at Derbyshire County Council are informing people who keep poultry or other birds that they must follow enhanced biosecurity measures to protect their flocks from bird flu.
This comes as the Government’s UK Chief Veterinary Officer ordered a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to cover the whole of England, in response to the increased number of cases of avian influenza in poultry in new areas of the country.
There are currently no reported cases in Derbyshire.
The AIPZ instructs keepers to follow enhanced biosecurity but without mandatory housing. It came into force at midday on Saturday 25 January 2025 across England.
This applies to all bird keepers, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and is essential in protecting birds from avian flu.
Bird keepers can complete the self-assessment checklist to make sure they are meeting the minimum standards to protect their birds against bird flu.
To help prevent the spread of disease and protect the national poultry flock keepers are required to register their flock (however small) on the Poultry Register. The law states that bird keepers must register within one month of keeping poultry or other captive birds at any premises in England or Wales. This includes pet birds.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Carol Hart, said: “Avian flu is a very infectious virus affecting birds. I urge bird keepers in Derbyshire to find out more about the disease, how to spot it, what measures they must take to protect their birds and how to report it when they see signs of the disease. And they must follow Government advice so that we can help to limit the spread.”
Anyone who suspects bird flu must report it immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) even if the signs are mild.
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