Red tape threat to turkey farms

21 December 1998

Red tape threat to turkey farms

By FWi staff

RED tape and hygiene controls are threatening to put traditional producers of turkeys out of business.

Jeff Rooker, the agriculture minister, was told of the threat on a visit to the Kings Coppice Turkey Farm in Cookham, Berkshire.

Tom Coppas told the Daily Telegraph that his farm could not afford the £50 an hour veterinary bills for the number of birds they kill each year.

Traditional producers supply about 10% of the 4m turkeys that will be eaten this Christmas.