Bird Keepers reminded of the need to register

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) wishes to remind anyone who keeps birds of the legal requirement to register them.

All bird keepers (except those who keep caged pet birds in their home) must register with DARD and keep their details up to date on its ‘Bird Register’.

The register is currently being updated and, over the next few weeks, DARD will be contacting registered keepers to ask them to update their details.

If you keep birds and have not registered, you should do so immediately. You can obtain a registration form by contacting the DARD Helpline, Tel: 028 9052 4999 or by downloading it from the DARD website.

Notes to editors:

1. The Avian Influenza Preventive Measures Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (No. 70) requires all bird-keepers in Northern Ireland (with the exception of those who keep birds in their own homes) to register their birds with DARDNI.
2. The Bird Register is one of the measures introduced to protect the poultry industry from Avian Influenza (bird flu).
3. The Avian Influenza (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 require bird keepers to respond to requests from DARD to update their details in the register.
4. Media enquiries to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.