Bird keeper pleads guilty to flouting Avian Influenza requirements
Wiltshire Council has successfully prosecuted and fined a Wiltshire bird keeper for failing to comply with Avian Influenza Prevention Zone requirements.

Wiltshire Council has successfully prosecuted and fined a Wiltshire bird keeper for failing to comply with Avian Influenza Prevention Zone requirements.
Ryan Davy, aged 45, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at a hearing held at Swindon Magistrates Court on Thursday 12 October. He was given a fine of £200, plus costs of £450 and a £80 victim surcharge.
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared across the UK on 7 November 2022. The AIPZ meant all bird keepers were legally required to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu. Under the AIPZ all birds were to be kept within fully enclosed or netted areas, with standing water areas covered or netted to prevent access by wild birds.
Mr Davy kept between 50 to 60 poultry, including geese, ducks, chickens, bantams and a turkey on land near Monument Hill, Devizes. Following text messages on 1 and 7 November sent by council animal health officers advising of the new requirements, he was visited by officers on 30 November 2022. During the visit, around 40 of his birds were found to not be housed, netted or kept separate from wild birds and water was not undercover. He was informed verbally and in writing that he was failing to comply with the AIPZ requirements.
A further six visits carried out between December and March 2023 also identified breaches of the requirements.
Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Protection said; Last year saw one of the largest ever outbreaks of avian flu this country has seen. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was put in place to increase biosecurity and hygiene measures to try and protect our flocks.
Mr Davy, along with other bird keepers, was legally required to meet these requirements and put measures in place to prevent the spread of disease and protect his birds. However, when it was found that he was not complying, our officers rightly took the breach seriously and acted.
Whilst the AIPZ is not currently in place, as the weather turns colder and migratory birds start to arrive for the winter, all keepers should familiarise themselves with the latest avian flu advice from Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Please continue to follow hygiene measures as necessary and be vigilant for any signs of disease amongst bird flocks.
There have been 207 confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 across the UK, 160 of which were in England. The AIPZ and mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds was lifted across England and Wales on 18 April 2023.
The latest information and guidance from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) can be found: Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England (opens new window)