Bird flu outbreak is a blow to farming sector

Confirmation of an outbreak of avian flu (bird flu) on a farm on the Norfolk/Suffolk border is another huge blow to a farming industry already reeling from the effects of foot-and-mouth and Bluetongue (Blue tongue), the NFU said today.

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.

“But it is important to remember bird fluis a disease of birds. There is no reason for public concern and the Food Standards Agency says there are no risks from eating poultry meat and eggs provided they are cooked properly as, of course, all food should be.”