Worst bird flu outbreak in UK history puts Christmas turkeys at risk
Christmas turkey supplies could be at risk if the worst avian flu outbreak in UK history continues to spread, the National Farmers’ Union has warned.
More than three million birds have had to be culled so far, with Avian Influenza Prevention Zones introduced in Norfolk, Suffolk, parts of Essex and the whole of the South West of England.
While wild bird populations have been severely affected, poultry farmers are growing increasingly concerned about their livestock – and whether Christmas turkey supplies could be impacted.
“It is a risk,” James Mottershead, chairman of the NFU Poultry Board, told Sky News.
“If bird flu, for example, gets into turkeys that could cause holy carnage; that could cause real supply chain issues in the run-up to Christmas time. The realities of it are quite severe.
“I do know of some instances where seasonal turkey producers have been affected by this, so far, this year. If you have an outbreak on your farm and your farm is classed as an infected premises, it is serious – you could be out of production up for up to 12 months.”
By Dan Whitehead / Sky News
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