New rules on registering poultry
5 September 2024
New rules on registering poultry are coming into force this year and backyard birdkeepers will need to officially register their flock regardless of the number.
Previously, only people with more than 50 birds were required to register, but the new measures announced by Defra has reduced this to anyone with just one bird.
Defra consulted on the changes in March last year and has recently announced that the government, along with the devolved administrations, has agreed to make the following changes in England, Wales and Scotland:
• The threshold for mandatory registration will be reduced from 50 birds to 1, which means all poultry and captive bird keepers will be legally required to register their birds.
• Poultry keepers will be required to review their poultry register entry annually to ensure their details are up to date.
The requirement for all poultry keepers to register will come into force on 1st October 2024 with an annual review to be introduced 12 months later. Bird keepers will need to provide information, including their contact details, the location where birds are kept and details of the birds (species, number and what they are kept for).
The government said the changes would help manage potential disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza, and limit any spread. The information on the register will also be used to identify all bird keepers in disease control zones, allowing for more effective surveillance, so that zones can be lifted at the earliest possible opportunity.
For more information on registering your birds click this link.
