To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the recent avian influenza outbreak.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N8 has been confirmed on two holdings in Northern Ireland (NI). These incursions are the first detections of HPAI in NI ever.

The first case, in Clough, County Antrim, was confirmed by the Chief Veterinary Officer on 6 January 2021. A further case near Lisburn was officially confirmed on 11 January 2021.

In order to mitigate for onward disease spread, all birds on these premises were humanely culled and disease control zones established around each holding. The imposition of zones requires the licensing of certain animals and products of animal origin both into and out of these zones.

Epidemiological investigations are underway to determine the likely source of infection, and determine the risk of disease spread. Veterinary officials will visit all poultry holdings within the 3 km protection zone of each infected premises to provide assurance that there has been no onward disease spread.

Notifiable avian disease has been negated in a further eight holdings in NI where suspicion was reported after veterinary investigations were carried out. Any further suspect cases will be investigated as they are reported, with restrictions placed on suspect holdings until testing and veterinary investigations can negate the presence of notifiable avian disease.

On 1 December 2020 I declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across NI. I also announced the introduction of a mandatory housing order as a further measure to the AIPZ from Wednesday 23 December 2020.

I continue to urge all keepers of birds to critically review and improve their biosecurity measures in order to keep their birds safe. A biosecurity checklist is available to download from the DAERA website to aid flock keepers in this review