Two bird flu surveillance zones around York were lifted on Friday 27 February after government vets completed disease control and checks – a welcome easing of local movement rules for farms and smallholdings on the city’s fringe. (gov.uk)

Officials revoked 10km surveillance zones for both the second and third infected premises near York. The 3km protection zone for the third site had already ended on 20 February, with flocks humanely culled. For North Yorkshire hauliers, feed suppliers and keepers, that removes the extra paperwork tied to those zones. (gov.uk)

Similar step‑downs have followed elsewhere. Near Dereham in Norfolk the 10km zone came off on 24 February, alongside earlier revocations at Mundford and a third Dereham site on 22 February. In Nottinghamshire, the Newark‑on‑Trent surveillance zone ended on 24 February. Suffolk’s Needham Market moved from protection to surveillance on 26 February. In Kent, 10km zones at two Newington sites were lifted on 20 February. These changes matter for rural hauliers, egg packers and local markets that sat inside the lines. (gov.uk)

Even with those local easements, England remains in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures. If you keep 50 or more birds you must house them; if you keep fewer than 50 only for your own household, housing isn’t required; but anyone selling or giving away eggs, birds or poultry products must house. Limited welfare exemptions exist for certain species via your private vet. (gov.uk)

Since the season began on 1 October 2025, there have been 94 confirmed H5N1 cases across the UK – 74 in England – and under WOAH rules the UK is not currently free of the disease. (gov.uk)

Risk in the countryside remains elevated. APHA rates the threat in wild birds as very high, and the exposure risk for poultry as high where biosecurity is weak and medium where it is robust. UKHSA says the risk to the public is very low, while the Food Standards Agency advises properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. (gov.uk)

For keepers across York, Ryedale and the wider North, the ask is straightforward: keep feed and water indoors, cut wild‑bird access, clean vehicles and yards, and use foot dips at shed doors. Check the Defra disease‑zone map before moving birds or kit and apply for licences where required. (gov.uk)

Rural councils and land managers can help by reporting dead wild birds promptly and using government signage where appropriate. Defra’s reporting service and helpline support targeted surveillance – but the rule for the public is simple: don’t touch dead or sick wild birds. (gov.uk)

Shows and sales aren’t off the table everywhere. Outside control zones, gatherings of parrots, birds of prey, finches and fancy pigeons can run under a general licence if APHA is notified seven days in advance; any event involving chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants or ratites needs a specific licence. Guidance was updated on 27 February. (gov.uk)

Vaccination remains restricted in England. Poultry and most captive birds cannot be vaccinated against bird flu; only licensed zoos can apply to APHA for authorisation on welfare grounds. Government and industry continue to explore future options through a dedicated vaccination taskforce. (gov.uk)

For households and smallholders, the bottom line holds. Keepers with more than 50 birds must house them; those with fewer than 50 for private use do not, but anyone selling eggs, meat or live birds counts as ‘poultry’ and must house. When in doubt, check the live map and the AIPZ declaration before moving stock. (gov.uk)

With wild‑bird risk graded very high, Northern keepers should plan for continued vigilance into March. The revocations near York are welcome, but the real work now is steady biosecurity and good records on every yard. (gov.uk)