Defra lifts bird flu restrictions

The surveillance zone around the two farms where infected poultry were discovered last month and the wider restriction zone covering Suffolk and much of Norfolk have been removed.

All restrictions on bird gatherings and movements of poultry and poultry meat within the zones have also been lifted.

The Environment Department said the move followed expert advice that the disease had been contained to the two infected farms in Suffolk.

Acting chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg said: "Although this marks the end of our active disease control measures in the affected area, we continue to investigate the source of the virus introduction, and expect to publish a final epidemiology report in the new year.

"Poultry keepers must endeavour to learn from this outbreak to prevent and manage similar situations in the future.

"All should regularly review their biosecurity measures to ensure they meet best practice and remain vigilant for signs of disease."

The final lifting of restrictions comes after the culling of thousands of birds on six premises in Norfolk and Suffolk following the discovery of the deadly H5N1 on an free range turkey farm on November 12.

An initial report into the outbreak was unable to identify "categorically" the source of the disease.

The epidemiological research found no evidence that the virus was introduced by infected poultry or poultry products, or by vehicles or people transporting them, from countries which have the disease in domestic flocks.