Farmers 'doing everything' to avoid spread of bird flu in turkeys
Farmers are increasingly asking for advice in the run up to Christmas to protect their livestock
Last updated 3rd Oct 2022
British farmers say they are doing all they can to ensure that supplies of turkeys this Christmas are not at risk because of the worst avian flu outbreak in UK history.
More than three million birds have been culled in recent months - and the virus has been detected at 155 sites.
Avian Influenza Prevention Zones have been introduced in Norfolk, Suffolk, parts of Essex and the whole of the South West of England.
The South West branch of the National Farmers' Union say calls to their support line have increased recently as members look to take precautions and protect their livestock.
The disease is carried and spread by wild birds and most farmers are limiting access to their animals as much as possible to help reduce the spread.
Usually levels of the virus fall over the Summer.
Recently Paignton Zoo was closed as a precaution because of a bird flu epidemic and Exmoor Zoo closed a walkway as a precaution - while introducing changes to try and stop wild birds using the central lake.
Devon farmer James Coleman recently had to cull 20,000 of his ducks to protect his processing factory.
The National Farmers' Union says while there is a 'risk' of the virus spreading to turkeys, currently there has not been widespread problems and they are not predicting a shortage this Christmas.