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DAERA to lift compulsory avian housing order
The restrictions will be lifted in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
The measures will be lifted midday on 10 May.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is to lift poultry and captive bird housing measures across Northern Ireland on Saturday, 10 May at 12pm.

At the same time, the Republic of Ireland will also be lifting its mandatory housing requirements.

This latest announcement will give flock keepers, including backyard and hobby keepers, a week to prepare ranges before they let their birds outside. However DAERA also urges bird keepers to maintain strict biosecurity measures on their premises.

The housing orders were first introduced across Northern Ireland on 17 February, becoming one of the key measures in place to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

Northern Ireland remains an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which includes a ban on the gathering of galliforme, anseriforme and poultry birds. Bird keepers are also legally required to follow strict biosecurity measures.

DAERA says that it is continuing to to review the risk of avian influenza spread, considering all available evidence and regularly engaging with stakeholders and colleagues in the Republic of Ireland.

Andrew Muir, DAERA minister, said: “This will be welcome news for poultry keepers across Northern Ireland who have put great effort into keeping their flocks safe.  The last confirmed case in poultry here was in late February and I want to thank the engagement and cooperation from those poultry farmers who have suffered an incursion of disease this year.

"With the relaxation of housing requirements my message remains the same to all bird keepers – whether they have just a few birds or thousands – that they must continue to do their bit to maintain strict biosecurity measures on premises so that we do not lose the progress that we have made.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."