New poultry biosecurity measures to start on November 1
New poultry biosecurity measures are to come into effect on November 1.
It has been announced that specific biosecurity regulations will come into effect on Saturday, November 1, to prevent outbreaks of Avian flu in poultry and captive birds.
A detailed list of the new regulations can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s website will require all flock keepers to apply strict biosecurity measures on their poultry and other captive birds to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Minister of agriculture, Martin Heydon, announced it because of increased inward migration of wild waterfowl, which are natural reservoirs for the disease as we are entering a high-risk period in the winter months.
In the first nine months of 2025, 41 wild birds have tested positive for HPAI, and outbreaks of HPAI have been reported this month in a large poultry flock in Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and in a captive bird flock in Co Cork.
Minister Heydon said: “These events highlight that there is a significant risk to Irish poultry and captive bird flocks, which is increasing substantially as winter approaches due to the seasonal migration of wild birds to Ireland.
"In addition, as temperatures decrease, the virus can survive for longer periods at lower temperatures. Strict and consistent biosecurity is the most effective mechanism to reduce the risk of transmission and protect against avian influenza.
"It is extremely important at this time that every precaution must be taken to prevent virus particles from wild birds, which may be present in the environment, from coming into contact with poultry or captive birds.”
The department has issued two main categories of protocols. Schedule 1 applies to all land or premises that keep poultry or other captive birds. Schedule 2 is an addition to the schedule that only applies to land or premises that have over 350 poultry or other captive birds.
Key measures within Schedule 1 for flock owners is to fence of or cover the area where poultry roams with netting to prevent mixing with wild birds.
Poultry should not have access to open water or waterlogged areas which may also attract wild birds, locate feeding and watering points indoors so as not to encourage wild birds and to keep feed stored in areas where wild birds can access cleaning up any spillages.
Sick or dead wild birds should not be touched, and captive birds removed from the area, notifying your Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) or reporting it through the Avian Check App.
Sick or dead birds must not be handled or brought to premises where poultry or other captive birds are present.
Strict biosecurity measures on all personnel working with poultry or captive birds must be adhered to, poultry housing must be bird- and rodent-proof, environments must be kept clean, and any vehicles must be parked outside the premises perimeter, with only essential vehicles allowed on site.
These vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected before entry.
Personnel access to the birds must be kept at a minimum, and personnel must have designated clothing and footwear. Essential visitors who have to have access must be provided with overalls and footwear, with hand-washing facilities, and with records kept of anyone entering and exiting the premises.
Flock owners are advised not to reuse plastic egg trays that aren’t thoroughly disinfected and not to reuse disposable egg trays.
Concrete walkways must be kept clean and disinfected, footbaths containing department-registered disinfectants must be provided outside each poultry house, and liquid must be changed regularly.
In Schedule 2 for premises with 350 or over poultry or captive birds, have additional measures. Only essential personnel are allowed access.
Personnel must change clothing and footwear before entering and on exit, all vehicles, particularly wheels and wheel arches and any equipment must be cleaned and disinfected both when they leave and return to the premises.
Ancillary areas, including storage, must be fully and clearly separated from the live bird housing or accommodation area. Waste and carcasses are to be kept in this area where no other animals or vermin can gain access.
The packaging, handling and storage of second-quality eggs must be managed in a biosecure manner.
The department is urging all flock owners, regardless of flock size, to remain vigilant for signs of disease, implement and maintain strict biosecurity measures, and report any suspicion of disease to their local department RVO or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026.
Members of the public are reminded not to handle sick or dying birds, and any dead wild birds should be reported to the department via the Avian Influenza Wild Bird reporting App.
