Over The Farm Gate Podcast: Avian Influenza - Housing measures lifted but biosecurity remains paramount

On this weeks Over the Farm Gate podcast livestock reporter, Katie Fallon talks to the UKs Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, after housing measures for bird keepers in England were lifted this week.

clock • 1 min read
Over The Farm Gate Podcast: Avian Influenza - Housing measures lifted but biosecurity remains paramount

On this weeks Over the Farm Gate podcast livestock reporter, Katie Fallon talks to the UKs Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, after housing measures for bird keepers in England were lifted this week.

Following the unprecedented outbreak of avian influenza across the UK and Europe which began back in October 2021, mandatory housing measures in England have now been lifted as of Tuesday this week (April 18).

With this outbreak considerably worse than previous years in terms of both severity and longevity, the UKs Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss explained it was the over-summering of the virus which helped make this outbreak so destructive.

Speaking to Farmers Guardian for this weeks Over the Farm Gate podcast, Ms Middlemiss said this was the first time a serotype of avian influenza had stayed through the summer months and caused ongoing outbreaks in Europe.

As a result, bird keepers in England were subject to the countrys longest housing order to date.

With housing measures lifted earlier this week, Ms Middlemiss urged bird keepers to ensure scrupulous biosecurity was in place on their premises, in order to continue to protect their flocks against the virus.

As the risk of avian influenza still remains, biosecurity measures are paramount on all premises, whether that be large commercial poultry units or back yard flocks.

More on Livestock

A farm's culture has an effect on animal welfare

A farm's culture has an effect on animal welfare

Strong leadership and staff management can elevate animal welfare beyond mere compliance

clock 09 July 2025 • 4 min read
NSA Sheep NI: New technologies will drive the sheep sector forward

NSA Sheep NI: New technologies will drive the sheep sector forward

The McFarlane family hosted the NSA Northern Ireland sheep event on-farm at Dungiven, Co Derry. Richard Halloran reports

clock 09 July 2025 • 6 min read
Groundswell 2025: Grazing livestock is key to soil and ecological health

Groundswell 2025: Grazing livestock is key to soil and ecological health

A panel of experts at the Groundswell Festival agreed that farmers managing a range of different grazing systems are important for creating diverse structures and vegetation communities

Chloe Palmer
clock 08 July 2025 • 5 min read