THE MP for Penrith and the Border has called the current bird flu outbreak ‘harrowing’ amidst the UK’s worst ever avian influenza pandemic.

1.6 billion birds have now been culled across the country and the chief executive of British Poultry Council, Richard Griffiths, has said that of the usual 1.2 or 1.3 million free-range turkeys grown for Christmas, around half of these animals have been directly culled.

Since November, birdkeepers have kept flocks housed 'until further notice' after the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued new guidance.

“This year, we are facing the worst avian influenza outbreak which is already having a huge impact on agri-food businesses, rural communities, and consumers,” said Dr Neil Hudson.

“Bird populations, wild and domestic, across the UK and Europe have been devastated and my thoughts and prayers are with farmers, producers, vets, officials, and everyone else on the front line of this harrowing outbreak.

“I am urging the Government to provide more support to poultry farmers and to really get behind securing and boosting the long-term resilience of the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

“At the moment with this outbreak, we are coping valiantly but we are fighting a war with a peacetime army, and that needs to be addressed moving forward.”

Dr Hudson has said that the topic of bird flu is a ‘personal one’ having been on the frontline against the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001 as a veterinary inspector.

There are also further concerns for the poultry industry as rising costs make it more difficult for farmers to make profits.

Rising prices forced local auction mart, Hopes of Wigton to cancel their annual festive poultry sale and other local firms have reported a sharp rise in costs making trading difficult – leaving some fearing shortages in the run up to the Christmas period.

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