Minister Heydon announces the lifting of the housing order for poultry and urges continued caution due to avian influenza risk

• From: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

• Published on: 29 April 2026
• Last updated on: 29 April 2026

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the lifting of the compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds.

The housing order, which was introduced in November 2025 to protect poultry and captive birds during the higher risk period of avian influenza, will be lifted from Tuesday 5 May 2026. The biosecurity regulations introduced that same month will remain in place.

The Minister said:

“The risk of avian influenza to our poultry is no longer as high as it had been in recent months and as a result it is an appropriate time to lift the housing order and prohibition on the assembly of live birds. I want to acknowledge the hard work and cooperation from the Irish poultry industry and bird owners in recent months. Despite the challenges, farmers, vets, processors and my Department have all worked together to reduce the chances of an outbreak which could have had such serious consequences for the wider poultry industry.”

The Minister went on to say:

“It is important to note that the risk of avian influenza has not gone away and everyone must remain vigilant especially around biosecurity of their flock and farm. I have left the Avian Influenza (biosecurity measures) Regulation in place for this reason.”

Members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to continue to report any episodes of sick or dead wild birds to their Regional Veterinary Office or, if outside business hours, to contact the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 or use the Department’s Avian Check App.

Further information, including a detailed technical update, is available at gov.ie/birdflu