A bird flu prevention zone order introduced in Scotland in late 2022, has been lifted.

A declaration, issued by the Scottish Government, said further risk assessment has been carried out and the prevention zone was no longer considered necessary to reduce the risk of the transmission of avian influenza to poultry or other captive birds in Scotland from wild birds or from any other source.

The decision took effect on Tuesday of this week.

However, the Scottish Government stressed that although the risk of bird flu to poultry and other captive birds had reduced in Scotland, low risk did not mean no risk, and keepers are being encouraged to continue implementing strong biosecurity measures as infection is still present in the environment and amongst wild birds in GB.

Poultry keepers are also being urged to maintain as much separation between poultry/captive birds and wild birds as possible, with contact between birds and gull species deemed to be a particular risk at this time.

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The zone had also been lifted across the rest of Great Britain, although bird gatherings for certain species remain prohibited in Scotland, England and Wales.

There is currently one confirmed outbreak in Scotland and it is mandatory to report all suspect cases of notifiable avian disease to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency office.