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Farming Today: Avian flu arrives in Europe

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08/12/2016

Avian flu arrives in Europe

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Avian flu arrives in Europe

Avian flu arrives in mainland Europe, leading to lock-down among poultry farmers.

Avian flu arrives in mainland Europe, leading to lock-down among poultry farmers. Plus how weather forecasting can help farmers prepare for all conditions.

Avian Flu arrives in mainland Europe leading to lock-down among poultry farmers and how weather forecasting can help farmers prepare for all conditions.

Poultry farmers are keeping their birds indoors after the Government ordered precautionary measures to protect against the spread of the H5N8 strain of bird flu. The disease has been found in poultry and wild birds in 14 European countries, including France, and while the risk to humans is very low there are fears that it could spread to the Uk's birds. The restrictions will be in force for 30 days. This poses challenges for farmers whose free range flocks would usually be largely outside. 

We hear from William Brisborne who farms geese and turkeys at Nesscliffe in North Shropshire.

Máire Burnett is from the British Poultry Council and she explains how the restrictions are affecting farmers and their birds.

Anna Hill visits Weatherquest UK at the University of East Anglia to discover how science and forecasting can assist farmers to plan for their agricultural operations: when to sew, when to spray, when to harvest etc.

We'll also hear how two farmers from Oxfordshire will be taking their cattle for a blessing in front of St Pauls Cathedral before leading a procession down Ludgate, along Fleet Street to St Bride's Church as part of a seasonal celebration, which will feature cattle, lambs, chickens and farmers from all over the country.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Martin Poyntz-Roberts.

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