Bird flu support package does not go far enough, say farmers
Norfolk poultry farmers said a new government bird flu support package does not do enough to help virus-stricken businesses.
Defra has announced a series of new measures to assist farmers hit by the UK’s worst-ever outbreak of avian influenza.
Norfolk has become the epicentre of the crisis, with more than 40 confirmed cases since the start of October, forcing the culls of hundreds of thousands of chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.
The new government plans include altering the existing compensation scheme to allow farmers to be paid from the outset of planned culling rather than at the end, to “help stem any cash flow pressures”.
After consultation with the Food Standards Agency, marketing rules are also being eased to allow farmers who breed turkeys, geese or ducks for meat the option to slaughter their flocks early and to freeze these products, which can then be defrosted and sold to consumers between November 28 and December 31.
Farming minister Mark Spencer said he hoped these “practical solutions” will help provide greater financial certainty for the sector as it battles “this insidious disease”.
Chris Hill / Eastern Daily Press
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