The Scottish Government’s Disease Control Branch - Bird Flu Alert

 Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) 

The AIPZ is a legal requirement and introduces strict biosecurity measures that ALL keepers of poultry and captive birds in Scotland, Wales & England must adhere to. For example, it is mandatory for: 

• poultry to be fenced within their outdoor range;
• ponds, watercourses & permanent standing water to be fenced off;
• poultry to be feed indoors or under a covered area to discourage wild birds and
• any existing contamination to be reduced by cleansing & disinfecting concrete areas, fencing off wet or boggy areas and for footwear to be clean & disinfected. 

A full list of the measures that must be undertaken to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) can be found here. The AIPZ does not currently include a requirement to house all poultry although this is being kept under constant review. Temporary Control Zones ‍

Due to the positive detection of highly pathogenic AI in a small flock of hens & guinea fowl near Arbroath there are 3km and 10km temporary control zones already established in this area. The temporary control zones stipulate additional requirements to the AIPZ, such as housing. If you are in this area, you can find out more about the extra restrictions here.