Housing order for poultry announced to curtail bird flu outbreaks

A compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds has been announced, to protect them from the risk of avian influenza.

This comes following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial turkey flock in Carlow this week.

The new rules which come into effect on Monday 10 November 2025 mean that birds must be housed or confined in such a manner that they do not have access to other poultry, captive birds, or wild birds.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said he is taking action to reduce the threat to our industry and to our poultry farmers’ livelihoods.

"Reducing the opportunity for contact with potentially infected wild birds, is crucial as this is one of the main ways in which the virus can spread," he said on Wedmesday 5 November.

The Minister emphasised the importance of biosecurity as the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks.

"All those who have poultry or kept birds must take strict precautions and exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza, and to protect the poultry sector in Ireland.

Northern Ireland

A similar housing order has been introduced in Northern Ireland also.

Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report any episodes of sick or dead wild birds to their Regional Veterinary Office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026.

The department continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders and counterparts in Northern Ireland.