POULTRY owners in Cumbria have been urged to remain cautious after bird flu restrictions that have controlled operations on all farms for the past nine months were lifted this week.

The mandatory avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) order, which has been in place since November 2021, was removed at midday on Tuesday (16 August) after the government classified the virus risk as 'low'.

But Cumbrian egg producer David Brass said while the risk levels for kept birds may be lower, flock owners and all bird keepers should still maintain good levels of biosecurity because the infection was still out there.

Mr Brass, who runs The Lakes Free Range Egg Company, near Penrith, with wife Helen added: “We follow strict biosecurity measures all year round and we hope all bird keepers will still follow enhanced biosecurity which will help prevent the risk of future outbreaks.”

But while the industry has welcomed the lifting of the restrictions, poultry owners are being advised to remain cautious.

The latest announcement means that flock keepers no longer have to follow rules that required them to contain free-ranging birds in fenced areas and to fence off ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water.

These enhanced biosecurity measures were brought in when there was a “medium” risk of the virus for some poultry premises, and included a housing order, but this was lifted in May.

The removal of all restrictions comes after the UK’s largest-yet outbreak of avian influenza, with 130 confirmed cases in the UK since late October.

However, a ban remains on poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, because of concern of infection spread.

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said that with those localised areas of risk, flock keepers should still follow the highest standards of biosecurity and cleanliness.

But statutory measures, such as the continuous cleansing and disinfection of housing and keeping fresh disinfectant at all farm and building entry points, no longer apply.