A Shropshire farmer has expressed relief after being able to let his chickens outside for the first time in months, following the lifting of a mandatory housing order for poultry across England. The measure was imposed to curb the spread of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
Peter Jarvis, a chicken farmer in Withington, Shropshire, let his 6,000 hens out on Thursday morning. He described the moment as a "great relief" for both the birds and his business. The mandatory housing order had been in place for approximately five months, requiring all poultry and captive birds in England to be kept indoors to prevent contact with wild birds, which can carry the disease.
The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer lifted the housing order on April 8, 2026, after a reduction in the number of bird flu cases detected in wild birds. The government stated the risk level had been lowered, though strict biosecurity measures remain mandatory for all bird keepers. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain remains in force, requiring enhanced hygiene and disease control protocols.
Farmers' unions have welcomed the move but continue to urge vigilance. The poultry industry in the UK has faced significant challenges from repeated outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in recent years, leading to large-scale culls and economic losses.
