Welsh farming union NFU Cymru have expressed relief after poultry housing measures in Wales to tackle the worst ever bird flu outbreak were lifted.

The lifting of the restrictions this week means poultry farmers can once again give their free-range birds access to roam outdoors – but enhanced biosecurity requirements remain in place.

The housing measures had been put in place by government as a response to the worst ever avian influenza (AI) outbreak in the UK, with over 100 cases of the disease reported over recent months.

While the risk of AI has been downgraded to allow free-range birds outdoors, the UK’s chief veterinary officers have stated that enhanced biosecurity requirements will remain in place to keep infection at bay.

NFU Cymru poultry representative Richard Williams said: “This week’s announcement of the lifting of housing restrictions has come as a great relief to poultry farmers across the UK, particularly here in Wales where such a large proportion of our eggs are from free-range farms.

“The sector has worked incredibly hard to minimise the threat of AI over a number of months, but it is clear that we all need to remain vigilant and continue practising enhanced biosecurity measures to ensure that the risk level does not increase once again.

"It is vital that all poultry keepers, whether that’s our members with large numbers of birds or more modest backyard keepers, continue to follow the government advice and protect the health of the national flock.

“NFU Cymru is working with partners across the industry to look at future solutions as to how we limit the impact of AI on the sector, given that it has become a frequent issue over the late autumn and winter months.

“While this week’s announcement is of course welcome news, it is just one of several challenges currently facing our poultry farmers, not least the rising feed, energy, transport and labour costs that are continuing to have a very real impact on the sector.”