Policy paper

Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales

What Defra and the Welsh Government are doing to reduce the risks from avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 31 August 2022
• Last updated: 18 March 2024 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales

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Mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales (PDF version)

Ref: PH14760

PDF, 426 KB, 48 pages

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Details

This strategy outlines the considerations assessed for government intervention with avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds. It also sets out:

• background to the disease and the susceptible population in Great Britain
• objective of Defra and Welsh Government and their delivery agencies in assessing and responding to avian influenza in wild birds
• role of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the avian influenza national reference laboratory in surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds
• role of Natural England and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in monitoring wild bird populations
• role of APHA, Natural England and NRW in the provision of operational guidance for sites and licensing for controlled activities

See the avian influenza guidance for information on how to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it.

Published 31 August 2022
Last updated 18 March 2024 + show all updates

1. 18 March 2024

   Added version 3 of the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales.

2. 30 March 2023

   We've added version 2 of the mitigation strategy for avian influenza in wild birds in England and Wales. Updates include: 1. Reflecting the launch of the online reporting tool for dead wild birds. 2. The outcome of risk assessments on game bird release, waterfowl and game shooting, and carcass removal. 3. Establishment of the JNCC chaired Defra-Welsh Government Avian Influenza Wild Bird Recovery Advisory Group and linked stakeholder groups. 4. Agreement of the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds commitments. 5. Advice on feeding wild birds.

3. 31 August 2022

   First published.