Nigel Gibbens identified H5N8 in a flock of farmed breeding pheasants. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the infected premises.
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The flock is estimated to contain approximately 10,000 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds are being humanely culled. A full investigation is underway to determine the source of the infection.
Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
NFU chief poultry adviser Gary Ford said: “The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that Avian Influenza (AI) H5N8 has been identified in a flock of farmed breeding pheasants in Wyre, Lancashire.
“As part of the swift measures taken to contain and eradicate the disease, a 3km Protection Zone and a wider 10km Surveillance Zone is in place, centred on the affected farm. This will have a significant impact on the farms within the zones because movements are restricted on and off farm."
Read the latest government advice and information on avian flu in the UK here, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and detail.
