The Department of Agriculture has today confirmed that the requirement to house poultry to protect against avian influenza has been lifted.

IFA National Poultry Chairman Nigel Renaghan has welcomed the news.

 The Poultry Chairman said the measures implemented by farmers and the Department of Agriculture have ensured avian flu did not affect the commercial poultry flock, securing the internationally recognised high health status of the national flock, protecting our export markets and the livelihoods of poultry farmers.

Nigel Renaghan said the benefits of being proactive in implementing protective measures is clear today with the lifting of restrictions, which also means there will no longer be a requirement for additional labelling of free range flocks.