Defra has lifted the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone imposed on 16 January. The UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was lifted across England due to the scientific and veterinary evidence showing that the risk of this disease has now returned to low. It is essential that all bird keepers continue to maintain good biosecurity measures to protect their birds and help prevent outbreaks or spread of diseases.”
The NFU has welcomed this move as proportionate given the publication on 18 May of the latest risk assessment which stated a ‘low’ risk of AI incursion into wild birds in the UK.