Defra has this afternoon confirmed Avian Influenza on a poultry premises near Diss in North Suffolk.

Preliminary tests established that the turkey flock concerned was positive for the H5 strain. All poultry will be culled in accordance with joint DEFRA and poultry sector contingency plans.

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.

All poultry keepers on the GB Poultry Register will be notified, and the EU Commission has been informed. British Poultry Council is working closely on this with government and its agencies at local and national levels.

Speaking this afternoon, Peter Bradnock, BPC Chief Executive said: “This is a relatively small commercial turkey farm. The disease was spotted early by the farmer, and local Animal Health office vets and DEFRA were notified swiftly. We hope that this quick action will have contained the infection”.

Commenting further, Mr. Bradnock said: “Wide and ongoing surveillance of wild birds in the UK remains key. There is no risk in eating cooked poultry meat, as confirmed by the Food Standards Agency”.

-ENDS-

BPC 12 November 2007