New bird keeping legislation requires registration by October 1

New legislation for all bird keepers, regardless of the amount of birds kept, will come into force on October 1.

The change means that even pet birds must be registered to the Kept Bird Register.

The new legislation aims to manage potential disease outbreaks in the future such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease, and limit any spread.

The information on the register will also be used to identify all bird keepers in disease control zones, allowing for effective surveillance.

This means that zones can be lifted as early as possible and trade can start again more quickly following an outbreak of avian disease in Great Britain.

Keepers will also receive important relevant to them which will help manage outbreaks and limit any spread of disease.

Bird Keepers in England and Wales who are currently registered are not required to re-register.

Keepers of birds such as parrots, cockatiels and budgerigars (known as Psittaciformes) and birds such as jays and finches (known as Passriformes) do not need to register if their birds are housed on the premises fully within a dwelling or within a bird house with no access to open air or outdoor spaces.

More information be found on the UK government website.