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Northern Ireland Lifts Poultry Housing Order
29 Apr
Summary
- Mandatory poultry housing order in Northern Ireland to be lifted next week.
- The Republic of Ireland will lift its housing requirement simultaneously.
- A ban on bird gatherings will continue to remain in place.
Northern Ireland is set to lift its mandatory housing order for poultry and captive birds next week, on Tuesday, May 5th. This measure, which has been in effect since November 6th, 2025, has been described as vital in protecting flocks. The Republic of Ireland will also simultaneously remove its mandatory housing requirement.
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir expressed his gratitude to poultry keepers for their diligence in safeguarding their flocks, noting the last confirmed case of bird flu in Northern Ireland occurred in March 2026. He stressed the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity protocols to preserve the progress made against the disease.
Despite the lifting of the housing order, a ban on bird gatherings, such as for shows and sales, will remain. This is part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which mandates stringent biosecurity for all bird keepers. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, indicated that risk assessments, including engagement with stakeholders and Irish counterparts, informed the decision to ease these measures.
