Scotland-wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) covering the whole of Scotland was declared this past weekend. From 12pm on Saturday 25 January 2025, strict biosecurity measures for all bird keepers must be adhered to, to help prevent the spread of “bird flu” from wild birds or any other source.
Does this also include pet birds, or backyard poultry keepers?
Yes. Pet bird owners, or backyard/smallholder/crofting owners with smaller numbers of poultry are included. Vets should be aware that any clients who have not yet registered their kept birds in Scotland (which has been a legal requirement for eligible birds from 1 December 2024, regardless of the number kept, and regardless of previous registration with the GB Poultry Register) may not have received this information directly and may not be aware. The Scottish Kept Birds Register includes:
- pet birds – there are exceptions for certain types that are kept indoors only (see below)
- poultry (including chickens, ducks and geese, and turkeys amongst others)
- game birds
- racing pigeons
- birds of prey
- waterfowl
- wild bird rehabilitation centres and zoos
Clients do not need to register psittaciformes (e.g. budgies, parrots, cockatiels) or passeriformes (e.g. jays, finches) which are housed indoors with no outdoor access, or housed outdoors in a fully enclosed structure. Any birds that are taken outdoors, e.g. for exercise or training, must be registered. Your clients can register free online at: keptbirdregister.service.gov.scot
The requirements of the Scotland-wide AI Prevention Zone
The AIPZ does not currently (as of 27/01/25) include a requirement to house birds. However, this may change. Similar AIPZ’s are in place in England and Northern Ireland, and there are currently several 3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones (areas with stricter biosecurity requirements for bird keepers, around current poultry outbreaks) in England, and one in Scotland (near Kirriemuir). You can check where disease control zones are located on the APHA interactive map. Vigilance by bird keepers and vets is important and, as a Notifiable Disease, any suspicion of disease in Scotland must be reported immediately to your local APHA Field Services office.
Bird keepers - what your clients should do
Your clients can find relevant, regularly updated instructions on the gov.scot website. They should:
- read the AIPZ declaration to find out what actions they are required to take now, and keep up with developments by bookmarking the government bird flu news page (search “avian influenza” on gov.scot). Current knowledge of any change in legal obligations is essential.
- remain vigilant for signs of disease: read Avian flu (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease.
An outbreak of influenza in backyard poultry results in the same restrictions on movement of birds and has the same impact on farmers and trade as an outbreak on a commercial farm would have.
In addition to requirements affecting small/pet keepers, keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential personnel, and to use strict hygiene/cleansing and disinfection protocols for workers/clothing/footwear and vehicles. See the gov.scot website for more.
Dead bird and or dead wild mammals
If clients contact you regarding carcasses of dead wild birds, or even some mammals, which they would like to report to the wildlife avian influenza screening service, you can direct them to the relevant wildlife reporting information at the bottom of this page: Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - gov.scot. If your client finds a dead wild bird or wild mammal but suspects a crime instead, advise them to contact the police on 101 in the first instance.
Posted by SRUC Veterinary Services on 29/01/2025
