A second case of bird flu has been confirmed in Thirsk – which is the latest in a series of outbreaks across Yorkshire.

Following the escalating number of cases across the country, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer implemented a housing order for groups of more than 50 birds.

The rise in cases of bird flu can have serious impacts on poultry businesses, with culls of entire flocks being ordered if the disease is found on their premises.

Robert Frewen, Regional Surveyor for the North Country Land and Business Association, says it’s an uncertain time for poultry businesses across Yorkshire.

He said: “It’s a huge concern – you’ve got the commercial concern for poultry producers, who don’t know if they’re going to be able to raise enough turkeys for Christmas.

“But also for commercial egg producers – this is their living and it’s really hard to insure for it now. If you get an infected bird on your farm you become an infected premises, and they cull out the entire farm. That’s your entire flock gone.”

Control zones have been set up across Yorkshire after confirmed cases in Thirsk, Hackforth, Bedale, Tholthorpe, Easingwold and Knayton, each one consists of a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone.

Bird flu, or avian influenza, surges in colder months due to the migration patterns of wild birds which spread the virus, as a result poultry producers have to ensure they have high biosecurity standards.

Mr Frewen added: “Even with really good biosecurity, as happened with Bedale, it still gets in. You’ve only got to have one wild bird in amongst your flock and they can transmit the disease.

“So, perfect biosecurity is very, very hard, marching towards next to impossible. We’re not going to be able to eradicate avian flu, and now it’s got cooler and wetter its reared its ugly head again.”

The implementation of the national housing order will pose a problems for many free range producers, as flocks of chickens can only keep their free range status for 12 weeks once the housing order is applied.

If the flock are housed for more than 12 weeks, the birds and their eggs will have to be classed as barn-reared and sold for a cheaper price, lowering the margins of poultry businesses affected across the country.

Christine Middlemiss, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, said in a statement: “I appreciate the impact these measures have on industry and am extremely grateful for the continued cooperation of the poultry sector.  We know from previous years that housing birds will bring the rates of infection down from the high we are currently experiencing.

“I urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures, continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”

For poultry businesses found to be an infected premises where a culling is ordered, the government will pay compensation for any healthy birds culled in that flock, however, compensation wont be paid for any birds that are sick, or have died of the disease.

Mr Frewen said: “We’ve got this wretched disease and we’re going to have to learn how to manage it so our poultry producers don’t go bankrupt and the poultry business can still provide the British public with the the eggs they need and the chicken on the dining room table on a Sunday.”