UK Mandates Farmers And Residents Register Their Poultry Flocks To Prevent Bird Flu

UK Mandates Farmers And Residents Register Their Poultry Flocks To Prevent Bird Flu, And Report Nitrogen And Phosphorus Excretion Levels

Jacob M. Thompson

Beginning at the start of this month, the United Kingdom has mandated that all farmers and homeowners must register their poultry flocks with the government, and will soon be required to report the emissions in the bird’s excretion.

The WinePress reported on this announcement back in April. The implementation of the law and deadline to sign up has begun. 

Starting on October 1st, all British homeowners and farmers are required to register the number of birds they own with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), even if it’s just one and if it’s kept as a pet.

This includes all manner of:

• chickens
• turkeys
• aviary birds
• birds of prey
• cassowaries
• ducks
• emus
• geese
• guinea fowls
• kiwis
• ostriches
• partridges
• pheasants
• pigeons
• psittacines (for example parrots, budgies and cockatiels)
• quails
• rheas

The British government plainly states, “You’re breaking the law if you do not register.”

There are two separate registries: one for owning and raising less than 50 birds, and another form for farmers who manage over 50 birds. 

According to the registration form for the over 50, APHA explained that the law applies to 50 or more birds kept for any period of time for: the consumption of meat and eggs; other commercial purposes; restocking game birds; or breeding for the three purposes above.

APHA will also ask for contact details, details of the owner of the birds, the location where the birds are kept, and details of the birds that are kept (species, number and what why the owners keep them).

APHA says by registering they will contact the owner “with updates and guidance if there’s a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area,” and says “you’ll help prevent the spread of disease and protect all kept birds, including back-yard flocks” by signing-up.

Naturally there are many residents and farmers that are not happy with this new law, some saying it is “bureaucracy gone crazy.” The BBC reported that this ‘legal deadline [is] designed to prevent fresh outbreaks of bird flu.’

Ray Holmes criticized the law change, arguing: “We have got wildlife flying over,” he said. “There are geese flying over in a morning now. Who knows what is dropping from the sky?”

On top of this, the British government will be forcing farmers to track the emissions in the feces of their livestock. 

These changes will go into effect starting on January 1st, 2025, Poultry Worldreported, forcing farmers across England to report their nitrogen and phosphorus excretion levels each year. The outlet added:

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