Animal health
The Trading Standards service has statutory responsibility for the enforcement of the above Animal Health legislation, whose primary purpose is to ensure that animal welfare is protected, and disease control is in place in case of outbreaks.
The whole of England has been placed in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) due to an increase in cases.
On 28th October 2025, DEFRA declared additional mandatory housing measures for bird keepers within a specified area of the AIPZ, which includes the whole of the North East of England. The declaration states that all keepers in the AIPZ who:
Keep more than 50 birds;
OR
Keep less than 50 poultry; and
Are not licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981,
must in addition comply with the measures set out in Schedule 4 to this declaration which are detailed in the document link at the bottom of this page.
These mandatory housing measures are to be introduced to all areas of Sunderland from 00:01 on Thursday 30th October 2025.
In summary, the housing measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to keep following the stringent biosecurity measures, originally introduced in February, to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.
Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist have been published by DEFRA to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity, which together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation, can be found at: Bird flu (avian influenza): how to prevent it and stop it spreading - GOV.UK
Please be aware that under the Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No 2) Order 2006 this is a mandatory instruction which you must comply with. Failing to comply with this order is a criminal offence.
Should you have any queries regarding this matter, these can be directed to [email protected]
Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries and not all dead birds will have been infected with avian influenza. However, our general advice to the general public is to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find.
Members of the public and land managers are advised to check the current government guidance on reporting of dead wild birds and latest updates. If the finding meets the threshold for reporting, they should contact the Defra Helpline (03459 33 55 77) to report the dead wild birds, unless it is clear that the cause of death is trauma.
Registering kept birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the UK is crucial for maintaining biosecurity and preventing the spread of diseases, such as avian influenza, which can affect both wild and domestic bird populations. By registering, bird keepers help authorities monitor and respond to potential outbreaks more effectively, ensuring the safety of both birds and people. The process of registering is simple and can be done online through the APHA's dedicated registration portal, making it quick and accessible for all bird owners.
Once registered, keepers receive important updates and guidance on keeping their birds healthy, further enhancing the protection of their flocks and the wider community.
