In light of the H5N1 Avian Influenza outbreak in Suffolk, the East Midlands NFU says local poultry farmers are 'concerned but prepared'.
Speaking today, Regional Director, Richard Hezlet said the local poultry industry was doing everything possible to safeguard against the spread of the disease and continuing to maintain the high state of alert that has been in place for over a year.
"This means being vigilant of their birds at all times and following full biosecurity precautions which include limiting visitors to the site, disinfecting vehicles coming onto and leaving the site, ensuring people wear clean overalls and footwear and maintaining strict hygiene standards across the site.
"The whole poultry industry has been working closely with Defra over the last two years to develop detailed contingency plans which are designed to ensure that any outbreak is dealt with quickly and effectively. The poultry industry as a whole is well used to enforcing strict biosecurity measures and we have an excellent record in effectively containing and dealing with other poultry diseases.
"We very much hope that the outbreak in Suffolk will prove to be an isolated case, but I'm confident that all East Midlands producers are well prepared.
"As ever the message to members of the public is that Avian Influenza is first and foremost a disease of birds and prolonged one-to-one exposure with an infected bird is necessary for people to contract the disease.
"The Food Standards Authority has once again advised that all properly cooked poultry meat and eggs remain perfectly safe to eat and we would certainly appeal to members of the public to continue to buy and eat British Red Tractor chicken as they have always done.
"Last year during the outbreak in Scotland, the British public showed real loyalty to British product, demonstrating that they were being guided by the best scientific advice. I very much hope this will be repeated now."