DEFRA has said it would permit some gatherings of poultry under licence from 23 August.

After lifting the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone last month, gatherings of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridge, quail and guinea fowl will once again be permitted.

See also: 12 reasons to attend Poultry Network Live on 6 September

Farmers or keepers must follow the regulations and notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency at least seven days before the event.

However, gatherings of ducks, geese and swans remain banned.

Defra said: “These changes only apply to gatherings of Galliforme poultry and Galliforme birds held in England only. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales and Scotland are not permitted to attend Galliforme gatherings in England.”

Wild birds

Scotland has been the focus of recent outbreaks, with several confirmed in pheasants through the month of August.

But across the UK wild bird findings remain high, even if commercial cases are not at present.

According to Defra, there were 101 wild bird detections of avian influenza in the weeks 28-32 in 2023 compared with 62 in the same weeks of 2022.