Bird Flu

NFU poultry board chair, James Mottershead said AI vaccination programme for birds need to be safe to give consumers the confidence to continue eating poultry products, and must not disrupt exports

The NFU plea coincides with the first suspected bird flu outbreak of the season in Northern Ireland, which was recorded among a commercial flock in Co Tyrone

Following a number of confirmed cases of avian influenza, poultry keepers are being urged to stay vigilant for signs of the disease and adhere to the latest control measures

Defra urges poultry keepers to be vigilant as it promises payout for lost birds

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on farmers' frustration of having to publicly defend the safety and viability of their businesses in light of public concerns around methane suppressors, Wales announces an all-wales avian influenza prevention zone, after it was declared across England and Scotland earlier in the week, and NFU Council members vote in favour of staging a further protest in the capital as part of a drive to halt the family farm tax

Defra has also announced new housing measures in York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on the confirmed case of avian influenza found in a farm worker in the West Midlands, discusses the reaction from the growers and the wider farming industry to the ban on neonicotinoid Cruiser SB on sugar beet crops, and an update on the latest analysis done by AHDB, which found over 42,000 farmers in England and Scotland will be hit by the Chancellor's Inheritance Tax changes

The UK Health and Security Agency said the individual had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds

Alistair Carmichael has called on the Government to increase funding to the agency to avoid further risk to UK farmers

Bird keepers in Wales are urged to 'remain vigilant' and report any signs or suspicion of avian influenza immediately