Bird flu forces culling of one million hens

One million hens are set to be culled at one of the UK's largest poultry farms, after an outbreak of bird flu.

The flock at Griffiths Family Farms - part of Oaklands Farm Eggs - have tested positive for high path avian influenza, the company said in a statement, describing the news as "devastating".

A protection zone was set up at the site, near Wem, Shropshire, on Monday, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed.

Elwyn Griffiths , one of the owners, said staff were working as quickly as possible to ensure the welfare of hens on the rest of the site.

Although the site is in England, part of the firm's surveillance zone extends into the Wrexham local authority area of Wales.

Shropshire Council urged residents and businesses who house birds, to remain alert for any signs of disease and report any cases of suspected disease immediately.

"This is obviously devastating news for the business and the Griffiths family personally," Mr Griffiths said.

"We will now work as quickly as possible to ensure the welfare of hens on the rest of the site, and also to ensure the wellbeing of farm staff who are caring for the hens on the ground.

"We are now in the hands of government officials at APHA who will outline the next steps which we will be required to take."

The UK Health Security Agency says avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low.

Birds within the protection zone should not be kept outdoors and there should be no movement of birds or eggs within, or outside of, the zone except under licence.

"Animal Health Officers will be working on scene to advise flock keepers and members of the public to be alert and take necessary precautions to help prevent the spread of the disease," the county council said.

The Food Standards Agency said bird flu poses a very low risk to UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat, it added.

But, the National Farmers Union (NFU) said outbreaks can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families.

"Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it's devastating to see that compromised," NFU poultry board chair, James Mottershead, said.

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