DEFRA has today lifted the Surveillance Zone and remaining disease control area restrictions put in place following the outbreak of H7N7 avian flu on a free range layer unit near Banbury.

Surveillance has shown that infection appears to have been contained to the single premises and 30 days have now elapsed since preliminary cleansing and disinfection was completed on that premises.

Deputy chief Vet officer Alick Simmons said: "This incident has demonstrated again the potential for avian flu to be introduced into domestic poultry in the UK.

"The risk of further incidents, while low, remains, and I urge poultry keepers to maintain the highest standards of biosecurity and to report suspicion of disease promptly," he said.