Bird flu back

Defra has today confirmed Avian Influenza in turkeys on a premises near Diss on the Norfolk/Suffolk border after preliminary tests were positive for the H5 strain. The premises, thought to be a former Kerry site, now owned by Redgrave Holdings, also contains ducks and geese. All birds on the premises will be slaughtered.

Full confirmation of results, including whether or not this is H5N1 and whether the strain is high or low pathogenic will follow.

A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone are being established around the Infected Premises. Inside these zones bird movements will be restricted and all birds must be housed or otherwise isolated from contact with wild birds. We are also urgently considering with ornithological and other experts what wider measures may be needed.

All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register will be notified, and the EU Commission has been informed.

NFU president Peter Kendall said: "Obviously this is another huge blow to the farming industry, which is still dealing with the effects of bluetongue and foot and mouth, and we will be working closely with Defra to do all we can to contain and eradicate this disease as quickly as possible.

"We fully support the measures Defra have put in place in the protection and surveillance zones and we will be working with them to make sure producers within the zones understand the implications of the restrictions."

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