DAERA, Northern Ireland’s ministry for agriculture, has lifted all remaining AI surveillance zones in the country following successful cleansing and disinfection and surveillance of the premises.
The Republic of Ireland’s farming ministry also lifted its last remaining surveillance zone on 21 January.
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There have been five confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Northern Ireland this winter season, taking the total across the UK to more than 80.
In the RoI, there have been six cases of HPAI, with 64 detections of the virus in wild birds.
A housing order remains in place across Ireland.
‘Incredible work’
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said: “These Surveillance Zones are the last local movement restrictions to be lifted, and while this is very welcome news, the risk of Avian Influenza has not disappeared, and we are certainly not out of the woods yet.
“I would like to thank the poultry industry for their incredible work so far in keeping the disease under control.
“There is no doubt that the efforts you have made have been vital in stopping the spread of the virus from those premises that were unfortunately affected and prevented any further incursions to date.
“However, it is now vital that complacency does not set in. Excellent biosecurity 24/7 remains the most effective way to protect individual flocks and our poultry industry from this deadly virus.”
