County Tyrone Pheasants Face Culling Over Bird Flu Scare

Approximately one thousand pheasants are slated for culling following the detection of suspected bird flu at a commercial poultry premises in County Tyrone. The Department for Agriculture, Rural Affairs and the Environment has imposed restrictions around the farm located near Newtownstewart.

This incident represents the first suspected outbreak in Northern Ireland since November 2025, with three confirmed cases already in the 2025/26 season. The Chief Veterinary Officer emphasized the importance of adherence to stringent biosecurity measures for all flock keepers to curb the spread of the avian influenza.

Samples from the affected site are undergoing analysis to confirm the outbreak. Meanwhile, a housing order mandates that all poultry be kept indoors, separated from wild birds. Temporary control zones are established around outbreak sites to limit virus transmission, involving enhanced record-keeping and movement restrictions for poultry businesses within a 3km radius.