Bird Flu

On today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown gives the latest on the first case of avian flu found in a single sheep in Yorkshire, the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Slovakia – where the disease has been found on three separate farms, and the Tenant Farmers Association's call on Defra to allow 'in-flight' SFI applications to be processed

Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza A (H5N1)"

The best way to protect Welsh flocks against current disease threat was the main topic up for discussion at the recent NFU Cymru Poultry Conference, held in Builth Wells.

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