Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir has today (Wednesday, April 29) announced plan to lift the housing order for poultry and captive birds in Northern Ireland.
The compulsory housing measures, introduced in response to avian influenza (bird flu) are set be lifted across Northern Ireland from Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
The announcement has been made in conjunction with the decision to lift the housing in the Republic of Ireland where the requirements will be lifted at the same time.
Poultry
The housing measures for were introduced across Northern Ireland on November 6, 2025 as one of the key measures to stop the spread of bird flu.
Minister Muir said the announcement will be “welcome news for poultry keepers across Northern Ireland who have put great effort into keeping their flocks safe”.
“The last confirmed case in poultry or captive birds here was in March 2026 and I want to thank the engagement and cooperation from those poultry farmers who have suffered an incursion of disease over the past year.
“With the relaxation of housing requirements my message remains the same to all bird keepers – whether they have just a few birds or thousands – that they must continue to do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on premises so that we do not lose the progress that we have made,” he said.
All flock keepers, including backyard and hobby keepers, are encouraged to use the next few days to prepare their ranges so that birds can be let outside again.
Bird flu
Northern Ireland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher said the risk of a bird flu incursion in Northern Ireland has been kept under “close review” by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
“These reviews have considered all the available evidence and have included ongoing and recent engagement with stakeholders, and colleagues in the Republic of Ireland, to determine the most appropriate time to reduce the current protective measures in place,” he said.
Dooher noted that the ban on the gatherings of poultry (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl, ducks, geese and swans) will remain in place as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) which places a legal requirement on all bird keepers in Northern Ireland to follow strict biosecurity measures.
Further information on what bird gatherings can take place under is available on the DAERA website.
Members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, using the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool.