Investigation of Organic Farm at the Center of an Avian Flu Outbreak

"Veterinary experts are investigating biosecurity at the organic farm at the centre of the current avian flu outbreak amid fears that the H5N1 virus has already spread to two nearby farms.

Industry sources said last night that workers at Redgrave Park Farm, near Diss, Norfolk, had also spent time at the other farms, both of which are within the 1.9-mile (3km) protection zone. It is being suggested that routine cleansing and disinfecting between holdings was not a priority and that facilities were basic.

There is concern that 45,000 free-range geese may be infected. Fred Landeg, the acting chief veterinary officer, said that an immediate cull would be ordered if there was any evidence that there had been “dangerous contacts” between flocks and farms.

There was disbelief in the poultry industry and among ornithologists that, despite government warnings of the high risk of avian flu transmission during the spring and autumn migration periods, the free-range birds were not kept away from wild birds at an ornamental lake on the farm."

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