Farmers stand firm on flu scare

Shropshire's poultry farmers were standing firm in the face of Britain's latest outbreak of avian flu.

Government officials have confirmed that the virus found in birds on the farm in Redgrave in Suffolk was the H5N1 version of the disease.

Now the focus has turned to identifying exactly how it came to be back among British flocks 10 months on from the last outbreak in Norfolk.

David Mills, who runs a chicken farm at Craven Arms, said: "What we have to realise is that bird flu has been rumbling around Germany's wild bird population all summer and there has been no major catastrophe."

Chris Wesson, who produces premium chickens at Crowsmoor Farm in Aston-on-Clun, said: "The wheels have to keep turning.

"Everyone has to take bio-security seriously but it reinforces the message that welfare is paramount and quality is paramount."

David Collier, regional director of the NFU based in Telford, said: "The regional office is speaking with Shropshire producers and issuing details, via text, briefings and on the phone so they are fully informed about what is happening."

But events around the region were already under threat with the Royal Welsh poultry show on November 27, part of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, in jeopardy as a result of the outbreak.