Blitz Bureau
Poultry farmers are appealing to the Government to let them vaccinate their flocks against the “devastating” bird flu virus spreading across the UK.
Vaccinating poultry against avian influenza is currently not allowed in the UK. The Government feels culling are the most effective ways of fighting it. Meanwhile, there are concerns that poultry vaccinations might be linked to the virus evolving.
Overall levels of the virus have not yet reached the peak of recent years. But one farmer, who has previously lost 30 per cent of his flock because of bird flu, told the BBC that, without a vaccine, it was only a matter of time before “it all kicks off again”.
There have so far been 25 farm outbreaks of bird flu since the annual winter recording season began in October A bird flu prevention zone enforcing strict hygiene standards around domesticated birds has been declared for England, Wales and Scotland amid a rising number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The risk to humans remains low, with chicken and eggs safe to eat if properly cooked, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Defra has set up a cross-government and poultry industry taskforce that is looking at the potential use of vaccines, and is due to publish its report later this year. But poultry farmers say things are moving too slowly
