Policy paper

Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales

What Defra and the Welsh Government are doing to reduce the risks from avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 31 August 2022
• Last updated: 18 March 2024
  Show all updates

  1. 18 March 2024

     Added version 3 of the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales.

  2. 30 March 2023

     We've added version 2 of the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales. Updates include: 1. Reflecting the launch of the online reporting tool for dead wild birds. 2. The outcome of risk assessments on game bird release, waterfowl and game shooting, and carcass removal. 3. Establishment of the JNCC chaired Defra-Welsh Government Avian Influenza Wild Bird Recovery Advisory Group and linked stakeholder groups. 4. Agreement of the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds commitments. 5. Advice on feeding wild birds.

  3. 31 August 2022

     First published.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

This publication was withdrawn on 27 January 2026

This publication is out of date and has been archived. You can read the latest mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales

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[Withdrawn] Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales (PDF version)

Ref: PH14760

PDF, 1.23 MB, 48 pages

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Details

This strategy outlines the considerations assessed for government intervention with avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds. It also sets out:

• background to the disease and the susceptible population in Great Britain
• objective of Defra and Welsh Government and their delivery agencies in assessing and responding to avian influenza in wild birds
• role of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the avian influenza national reference laboratory in surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds
• role of Natural England and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in monitoring wild bird populations
• role of APHA, Natural England and NRW in the provision of operational guidance for sites and licensing for controlled activities

See the avian influenza guidance for information on how to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it.