Farmers shocked as bird flu found in UK turkeys

BRITISH farming was dealt a fresh blow yesterday after vets confirmed they had found bird flu in a flock of free-range turkeys in Suffolk.

The discovery of the highly contagious H5 strain of the avian virus has forced the culling of more than 6000 turkeys, ducks and geese in East Anglia, just as the poultry industry gears up for the Christmas rush.

Tests by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency at Redgrave Poultry, part of Gressingham Foods, in Suffolk yesterday confirmed the birds had the H5 strain of avian flu.

Livestock farmers are already trying to recover after outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and bluetongue earlier this year.