DEFRA has this afternoon informed stakeholders of a decision to declare a fifth premise as a Dangerous Contact, and announced that all poultry on the site will be culled as a precautionary measure. The site is within the existing Surveillance Zone and has been under restrictions since 15th November.

We understand that the ongoing investigation into the tracing of movements from the original infected premise has determined a possible route of infection to this site. Government scientists have been testing samples from the site since last week, and we look forward to seeing the full set of results.

The Defra risk assessment has identified culling of the birds on the site as the preferred option. Peter Bradnock, BPC Chief Executive, today said: "We are disappointed that this decision has had to be taken, particularly given all the hard work that has been put in to contain the situation. The BPC is exploring with Defra how this affects the movement of poultry and poultry products."

-ENDS-

BPC 21 November 2007