The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said it currently has no plans to lift the poultry housing order in place.

The compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds, to protect them from the risk of avian influenza, came into effect on November 10, 2025.

A DAFM spokesperson told Agriland: "During these colder months, Ireland remains in the higher risk period for incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

"For example, in 2025, the housing order that was put in place was revoked on May 10."

Housing order

While the housing order is in effect, poultry and captive birds must be housed or confined in such a manner that they do not have access to other poultry, captive birds or wild birds. 

There is also ban on gatherings of birds from different premises to protect the birds from the risk of infection, such as shows, fairs, sales.

Poultry farmers must make all reasonable efforts to house birds, but for legitimate reasons where the welfare of certain types of birds can be influenced by prolonged housing, certain exemptions are in place.

If it is not possible to confine the birds in a secure building, DAFM said the birds must be confined in a manner that prevents their access to other poultry, captive birds, wild birds and their droppings.

The department said that wild bird faecal contamination is a major source of avian influenza virus for poultry and captive birds.

As a result, housing of birds will prevent their direct exposure to wild bird faeces and reduce the potential for feed or water to be contaminated by wild birds.

DAFM noted that the requirement to house birds also applies to small backyard flocks.

Vigilance urged

There have been no outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in Ireland in 2026 to date.

Five outbreaks were confirmed on poultry premises in Ireland during 2025.

Outbreaks were confirmed in turkey fattening flocks in counties Carlow, Meath, Monaghan, Laois and Cavan late last year.