Poultry can roam outdoors again

WELSH farming union NFU Cymru has welcomed the lifting of poultry housing measures for birds in Wales.

The lifting of the restrictions means poultry farmers can give their free-range birds access to roam outdoors again. The measures had been put in place as a response to the worst Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in the UK, with over 100 cases of the disease reported.

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officers have stated that enhanced biosecurity requirements will remain in place.

NFU Cymru Poultry representative Richard Williams said: “The lifting of housing restrictions has come as a great relief to poultry farmers across the UK, particularly here in Wales where such a large proportion of our eggs are from free-range farms...

“NFU Cymru is working with partners across the industry to look at future solutions as to how we limit the impact of AI.”