Avian flu – precautionary cull on fifth farm

A precautionary cull of nearly 70,000 birds has taken place on a farm 10km from the original outbreak of avian flu, because of links with the premises where H5N1 was confirmed two weeks ago.

DEFRA has announced all birds on Grange Farm, which is within the existing surveillance zone, will be culled as dangerous contacts, totalling 56,000 ducks, 9,000 turkeys and 3,000 geese.

Speaking this morning (Thursday 22 November), Redgrave Poultry’s operations director Geoffrey Buchanan said all tests of birds to date on Grange Farm had been negative, however endorsed DEFRA’s actions to contain the outbreak.

DEFRA took the step after it transpired that seasonal workers who operated Redgrave Park – the site of the first outbreak – and the four other farms already culled were staying in a mobile home at Grange Farm

“The five workers lodged at the farm until the outbreak, when they were moved to a local bed and breakfast,” said Mr Buchanan.   

Acting chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg commented: “This decision (to cull) has taken based on new information which indicates the possibility that the poultry on this premisis may have been exposed to infection.

“I cannot emphasis enough that it is essential all poultry keepers practice the highest levels of biosecurity and report any suspicions of disease to their local Animal Health office.”