The Department of Agriculture has announced it is lifting the compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds that was in place due to the risk of avian influenza, or bird flu.
The order was introduced in February due to the heightened risk of bird flu.
The housing order will be revoked on 10 May.
While no outbreaks of a highly infectious bird flu strain have been detected in poultry in Ireland last year or this year, there were three outbreaks on commercial poultry farms in the North and one in captive birds there.
19 wild birds tested positive for bird flu in Ireland during the first three months of the year.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said “the risk of avian influenza to our poultry is no longer as high as it had been in recent months, so it is now appropriate to lift the housing order and prohibition on the assembly of live birds.
He said: “I want to acknowledge the hard work and cooperation from the Irish poultry industry in recent months, with farmers, vets, processors and others all working together to reduce the chances of an outbreak which could have had such serious consequences.
“It is important to note that avian influenza is still a risk and will remain a threat to Irish poultry for the foreseeable future.”
Despite the lifting of the housing order, strict biosecurity regulations for poultry farms that were introduced last December remain in place.
Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any such incidents to their Regional Veterinary Office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 or use the Department’s Avian Check App.
Bird flu poses a low risk to humans and means foods such as eggs and chicken are still safe to eat, so long as they are properly cooked and prepared as normal.
