Bird flu restrictions lifted in Shropshire

Bird flu restrictions have been lifted in part of Shropshire after disease control activities. The restrictions were implemented in January due to an outbreak at Griffiths Family Farms near Wem. They included the creation of a 3 Km protection zone and a 10 Km surveillance zone, extending into the Wrexham local authority area. About one million hens had to be culled at the affected farm, one of the largest in the country, while poultry and other birds in the protection zone had to be housed indoors.
Announcing the lifting of the restrictions, a spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that disease control activities have been completed. Only the surveillance zone remains in place with checks on eggs and poultry leaving or entering local farms.