UK declared AI free

- Published: 20 November, 2008

The UK is officially free from Avian Influenza (AI) from today (20 November), according to the rules laid down by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

OIE rules require a three month interval between the final cleansing and disinfection of premises involved in the outbreak and official recognition of freedom from the disease.

The UK has not been able to export poultry and poultry products to the majority of its traditional third country markets for the last 12 months because of three AI outbreaks during 2007 and 2008.

Resumption of the UK's status as officially free from AI in line with OIE rules will greatly assist negotiations by Defra and industry partners to regain access to these markets.

Trade with other EU countries resumed on 8 July this year, under separate EU rules on AI.