Bird flu fears prompt orders for farmers to keep poultry inside in England and Scotland

Increased risk of devastating strain means restrictions imposed for second year in a row on those keeping birds

Poultry and captive birds across England and Scotland must be kept inside for the second year in a row due to an increased risk of a devastating strain of bird flu.

The British government has issued an England-wide avian influenza prevention zone, meaning individuals with 50 or more poultry or captive birds must house them inside. A similar designation was made across the whole of Scotland on Tuesday.

Birdkeepers must also follow enhanced biosecurity measures including reporting changes in egg production and reporting suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.