Bird flu: avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) (England)
No avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) is in force in England.
Updates to this page
- From:
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
- Published:
- 13 December 2024
- Last updated:
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4 June 2026
Show all updates
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Updated to reflect that the avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) is no longer in force.
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We have amended the declaration to reflect an update to Schedule 4.
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Being in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) no longer means you have to keep your birds housed. You can now let your birds outside again unless you’re in a protection zone or captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone. You must continue to follow the mandatory biosecurity measures.
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Added the declaration (PDF) that applies from 00:01am on 9 April 2026.
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Because bird flu risk levels have reduced, mandatory housing measures for poultry and other captive birds will be lifted in England at 00:01am on Thursday 9 April 2026. From that time, birds can be kept outside unless they are in a protection zone or captive bird monitoring (controlled) zone. Mandatory biosecurity measures will remain in place nationwide and gatherings of birds including galliformes and anseriformes remain subject to specific licence. As birds may have been housed for several months, there will be a 7 day preparedness period. During this time, bird keepers should follow guidance on preparing to let birds outside again. This includes cleansing and disinfecting hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroducing wild bird deterrents.
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Updated to clarify when and how you can get an exemption from AIPZ housing measures for welfare reasons.
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The AIPZ with mandatory housing measures has been updated to reflect the recent changes to bird gatherings.
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Added the declaration (PDF) that applies from 00.01 on 6 November 2025.
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Corrected timing: the mandatory housing measures will be extended to the whole of England from 00:01 on Thursday 6 November.
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From midday on Thursday 6 November, mandatory housing measures will be extended to the whole of England.
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From Thursday 30 October, there will be some areas of the AIPZ where you must house your birds. Added a new declaration (PDF) and information about which areas and bird keepers this applies to.
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The AIPZ with mandatory biosecurity measures in England has been updated to include: further clarity on the biosecurity measures for game bird rearers and shoot operators and enhanced reporting requirements for all bird keepers where there are changes in morbidity, mortality or a reduction in egg production or feed and water intake.
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The avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures has been updated to include additional biosecurity measures for game bird rearers and shoot operators. These include the requirement to cleanse and disinfect vehicles and footwear, a requirement to collect and report dead birds found in the vicinity of release pens and measures to prevent access to feeders and drinkers by wild birds. These measures come into force from 26 August.
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Mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will start to be lifted across England from 00:01 on Thursday 15 May 2025 and birds can be kept outside unless they are in a Protection Zone or Captive Bird Monitoring (Controlled) Zone. Mandatory stringent biosecurity measures will remain in place nationwide. There will be a 7- day transition period from 00:01 15 May 2025 until 00:01 22 May 2025 during which, where necessary, previously housed birds must be released gradually to minimise welfare issues. Those who intend to allow their birds outside are advised to use the upcoming days to prepare their outside areas for the safe release of their birds . This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandating strict biosecurity will remain in place in England, Scotland and Wales until further notice. Bird gatherings also remain banned. This will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.
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The list of counties and unitary authorities has been amended.
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From 00:01 on 7 April 2025 the avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) housing measures have been extended to cover County Durham, Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyneside in addition to Cheshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, Worcestershire, York and North Yorkshire. The England wide AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity in all other counties remains in force. The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza. The AIPZ will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza. Bird keepers should use the interactive map to check if they are in an area where they must house their birds and then read the AIPZ declaration schedule relevant to their area.
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Updated the example template you can use to get an exemption from housing your birds in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) in England.
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Updated the AIPZ housing measures exemption form.
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From 00:01 on 16 February 2025 the avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) housing measures have been extended to cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire in addition to the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire. The England wide AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity in all other counties remains in force. The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza. The AIPZ will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza. Bird keepers should use the interactive map to check if they are in an area where they must house their birds and then read the AIPZ declaration schedule relevant to their area.
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Keepers of anseriformes (such as ducks, geese, swans), ratites (such as ostriches and rheas) or poultry kept for restocking of game may be eligible for an exemption from avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) housing measures for welfare reasons. Exemption application form added to page.
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In response to the escalating number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza and continued heightened risk levels to protect the health and welfare of flocks, the avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) is being extended to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease. This means that from 00:01 on Monday 27 January the AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity and housing for kept birds currently in force across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk will be extended to also include the unitary authorities of Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire. In addition, an AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity but without mandatory housing will come into force from noon on Saturday 25 January across all other areas of England. The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza.
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There have been further findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry and other captive birds in Norfolk, the East Riding of Yorkshire and a further increase in the assessed risk of HPAI in wild birds and poultry. A regional avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity and housing measures has been declared in the unitary authorities of the East Riding of Yorkshire, the City of Kingston upon Hull and across all districts in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
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First published.
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- Disease Type:
- Bird flu (avian influenza)
- Disease control zone restrictions:
- No longer in force
- Disease control zone type:
- None
- Virus strain:
- All
- Case opened date:
- 13 December 2024
4 June 2026: AIPZ housing measures lifted
The avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) was revoked from 12:00 on 04 June 2026.
All bird keepers should continue to take steps to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading at all times and be vigilant for signs of disease.
Declarations
This revokes and replaces:
Amended declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England) - mandatory biosecurity
Declaration of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England) - mandatory biosecurity
This revokes and replaces the Declaration of Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (England) – mandatory biosecurity and housing measures from 00:01am on 9 April 2026.
Find past updates and declarations on National Archives.
Further information
Check the:
- updated bird flu disease control zone map
- rules on bird gatherings
Register as a keeper of: