The Ministers for Agriculture in Ireland and Northern Ireland have today introduced compulsory housing orders for poultry and other captive birds to reduce the risk of avian influenza.

In the Republic of Ireland, the order takes effect from Monday 10 November, while in Northern Ireland it comes into force on Thursday morning.

The measures require all bird keepers, including owners of commercial, backyard, hobby, and pet birds, to house their birds or otherwise prevent contact with wild birds. In Northern Ireland, a ban on gatherings of certain birds including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and pheasants will also apply.

Ministers emphasised the importance of strict biosecurity, warning that the virus can spread easily from wild birds to domestic flocks. Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any sightings to the relevant authorities.

Officials in both jurisdictions stressed close cooperation to protect the poultry industry, which is a significant part of the local economy. Avian influenza is a notifiable disease, and anyone suspecting infection must report it immediately.

Further guidance and registration details are available on the DAERA and gov.ie websites.

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in County Carlow on Tuesday.

A suspected case of avian influenza was reported at a commercial poultry farm near Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, on Monday.