The Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon has announced the introduction of biosecurity regulations which will require all flock keepers to apply specific biosecurity measures for poultry and other captive birds.
The measures will come into effect next Saturday, and are designed to prevent outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry and captive birds.
They are are being introduced in the wake of two outbreaks of bird flu in Cork and one at Omagh in County Tyrone.
Speaking to Northern Sound this morning, the IFA's poultry chair, Nigel Sweetnam called for backyard flock owners in the region also take caution.
He welcomed the Minister's announcement, but said Ireland is "fast approaching" the time when a national lockdown is needed.
Mr. Sweetnam said that we have to be sensible, and the most sensible thing to do is avoid the risk of infection.
He said: "I welcome the Minister's announcement, but I think we are fast approaching the time when we need a national lockdown.
"No point in exposing poultry commercial farmers to increased risks from wild birds.
"The biggest effect will be on free-range birds that are restricted from going outdoors. In the last number of years there has been huge improvements in space and enhancements in house.
"So, it's not as big an issue as it was. While we'd all like to see the birds going outdoors, we have to be sensible.
"I think the most sensible thing we can do here, is avoid the risk of contamination or infection," Mr. Sweetnam added.
