Please be advised that the following information has been received from Defra and should be communicated to all club members Dear Stakeholder, DEFRA PRESS RELEASE: NEW HOUSING MEASURES WILL COME INTO FORCE IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES ON 14 DECEMBER. [1] New housing measures, which will come into force on 14 December, mean that it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease. These housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 11 November. ……………………………………… The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone currently in place means it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in GB (whether they are keeping pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) to follow strict biosecurity measures. All bird keepers must: * maintain the highest standards of biosecurity to prevent the introduction of disease * report any clinical signs indicative of avian influenza to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact their local Field Services Office [2]. Failure to do so is an offence. All keepers can find the latest information on gov.uk at the following links: * Gov.uk biosecurity: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#biosecurity-advice [3] * Declaration – Avian Influenza Prevention Zone https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/934684/ai-prevention-zone-201111.pdf [4] * Avian influenza Prevention Zone self-assessment checklist https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937222/ai-pz-self-assessment-checklist.pdf [5] KEVIN BEATTIE Policy Advisor – Notifiable Avian Diseases Exotic Disease Control Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ian Evans CEO