The compulsory requirement to house or confine poultry as a precautionary measure against bird flu has been lifted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The decision to lift the legal requirement, which has been in place since December 23, 2016, was announced this morning by the Department.

A number of factors which indicated a reducing risk of further bird flu outbreaks supported the decision to lift the requirement, according to the Department.

These factors include the most recent confirmed case of the disease in the Republic of Ireland in wild birds appearing close to two months ago. The reducing numbers of migratory waterfowl, along with increasing environmental temperatures and daylight hours, also supported the decision.

What does it mean for poultry and bird owners?

As a result of the requirement being lifted, poultry and bird owners can now allow their birds access to open areas and runs.

However, the Department has warned that owners should not be complacent; there is still the possibility of the virus being present in the environment or being transmitted to their flock by wild birds.

Bird owners should continue to remain vigilant, monitor their birds for any signs of disease and implement strict disease control measures. In particular, birds should be fed indoors or under cover where feasible, according to the Department.

The change also means that free-range flocks will regain their status for the purposes of marketing free-range eggs and poultry meat. There will no longer be a requirement for additional labelling.

Only eggs produced and birds slaughtered from April 25 can be marketed as free range. Poultry products produced prior to this date will have to be marketed as per the guidelines, which were issued by the Department on March 8.

The Department also reminded all poultry owners, including those who keep small numbers of ‘backyard’ poultry, of their legal obligation to register their premises with the Department.