Victoria loosens bird flu poultry flock rules with hot weather on the way

Key points

• Victorian authorities have lifted rules that required poultry flocks of more than 50 birds to be kept indoors to guard against bird flu. The order had covered the southern half of the state for 10 weeks.
• The agriculture department said forecast hot summer temperatures and animal welfare concerns outweighed the need to keep the requirement in place. Officials said bird flu has not been detected in Australian poultry or livestock, but it continues to be found in wildlife across the state.
• Producers have been urged to keep their biosecurity plans up to date.