https://consult.defra.gov.uk/poultry-re ... ation2023/
Well worth looking at but personally I think the decision has been made and this is just an exercise to tick the relevant box.
I am certain everyone will have their own views on this subject.

I think the ongoing Avian flu is becoming endemic and the longer it hangs about, it also poses a health risk to people - there have already been cases of animals in the UK alone that have been infected or died. so the virus is capable of crossing to other species. No-one wants another global pandemic so soon but I'm also inclined to think there is more to this compulsory registration than what is being proposed (usually a financial one but I may be wrong)

Why penalise little people trying to be self sufficient when factory farming can spread infection from one country to another.

lancashire lass wrote: ↑ 10 Apr 2023, 09:34 I think the ongoing Avian flu is becoming endemic and the longer it hangs about, it also poses a health risk to people - there have already been cases of animals in the UK alone that have been infected or died. so the virus is capable of crossing to other species. No-one wants another global pandemic so soon but I'm also inclined to think there is more to this compulsory registration than what is being proposed (usually a financial one but I may be wrong)

This makes an interesting read regarding one opinion on Avian flu:
https://organicconsumers.org/is-bird-fl ... eaponized/

So, as I thought, now they have put the tick in the box:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new- ... ber%202024
I quote:
"Bird keepers will need to provide information, including their contact details, the location where birds are kept and details of the birds (species, number and what they are kept for).
In England and Wales keepers are encouraged to register their birds ahead of the legal deadline on 1 October 2024. In Scotland, keepers should register from 1 September 2024 when there will be a new Scottish Kept Bird Register in place."
Everyone will have their own views on this but to me it is just more Government control of the way you live but I am old and going senile!

There has been several views made about keeping back yard chickens indoors during the height of the avian flu. I see it from both points and if I kept chickens, I would have complied with the recommendation - to keep my own flock safe (as I would from predators) but also because the strain of avian flu going round has had a devastating impact on both wild birds and the poultry industry. A small flock may seem insignificant but when there are many people keeping birds, it becomes a big problem. Registration may be one way of finding out just how many people do keep birds (not just chickens but other poultry as well as fancy birds that are not caged indoors) but where it goes from there ... ?