UK farm group welcomes housing measures to protect birds
Avian influenza has greatly impacted the UK this past year
2 November 2022
1 minute read
By: In a recent press release, the UK's National Farmers' Union (NFU) welcomed Defra’s announcement that new mandatory housing measures will be implemented in England from November 7.
The news comes after the NFU held a roundtable meeting with Defra’s Biosecurity Minister, Lord Benyon, and Farming Minister, Mark Spencer, last week and stressed the need for national housing measures.
"As poultry producers, the health and welfare of our birds is our number one priority, and these housing measures alongside the existing additional biosecurity requirements will help minimise the impact of avian influenza on the poultry sector," said NFU poultry board chair James Mottershead.
"These measures apply to all poultry keepers, whether you have one hen in the garden or a large poultry business, and I urge everyone to remain vigilant," he added.
"This is a really challenging time for the British poultry sector but producers are doing all they can to protect their birds and to maintain production of poultry meat and eggs, especially as we approach Christmas," Mottershead continued.
"The NFU will continue to work with the government and the wider supply chain to minimise the impacts of avian influenza, both now and in the future."
