Thousands of turkeys, geese and ducks were being slaughtered last night after bird flu was found at a farm in Norfolk. Emergency protection zones were immediately set up around the site of the outbreak.
If the disease spreads it is feared it could devastate the industry in the run-up to Christmas.
Tests confirmed yesterday that a turkey at the farm in Redgrave near Diss had died from the H5 strain of bird flu. Further tests overnight are expected to reveal whether it had the especially dangerous H5N1 subtype which has killed millions of birds worldwide.
The farm is operated by Gressingham Foods, whose operations director Geoffrey Buchanan said: "We believe the outbreak has been contained and that the measures are in place to allow us to continue to serve our customers.
"Turkey meat continues to be safe to eat."
He said no Gressingham ducks - favoured by chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Delia Smith and Gary Rhodes - were reared at the site. Neighbouring farmers last night spoke of their fears that the disease could spread. (Daily Mail)
