Norfolk Farmer Struggles with Bird Flu After Devastating Loss of 100,000 Birds

In a tragic turn of events, Norfolk poultry farmer Mark Gorton has voiced his distress after losing an astounding 100,000 birds to an outbreak of bird flu. The owner of Traditional Norfolk Poultry, based in Shropham, expressed his ongoing fears as new prevention measures have been implemented across England to combat the spread of this brutal disease.

Describing the experience as “devastating” and “colossal,” Gorton detailed the impact that losing such a significant portion of his livestock had on his operations, which spanned nine farms in 2022. His remarks come in light of the government’s recent declaration of a bird flu prevention zone affecting all captive birds in Norfolk, Suffolk, and parts of Essex and Cambridgeshire, which now mandates that these birds be caged to minimize risk.

"We are doing everything we can to keep our birds safe, but this is a brutal disease," Gorton lamented. The situation has reignited his anxieties as bird flu cases continue to climb—with 23 confirmed in England since the beginning of 2024, predominantly in the eastern counties.

The psychological toll of witnessing the deaths of his livestock, with no recourse for intervention, weighs heavily on Gorton. "The mental and psychological impact is significant,” he shared, “especially when some of our farms were out of production for over a year, which was financially crippling."

In response to the escalating threats, the government has mandated a range of enhanced biosecurity measures for all bird keepers, whether they maintain small backyard flocks or large-scale commercial operations. These measures include:

- Keeping free-range birds in fenced areas or indoors to minimize contact with wild birds.

- Providing food and water in enclosed spaces to prevent access by wild birds.

- Implementing strict hygiene protocols, such as cleaning and disinfecting footwear before and after handling birds.

- Ensuring ducks and geese are separated from other poultry to limit cross-contamination.

Despite the alarming situation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has reassured the public that the risk to human health remains low, emphasizing that properly cooked chicken and eggs are safe for consumption.

As Gorton and other farmers brace for what lies ahead, the question remains: how long will these new measures hold, and will they be enough to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic losses witnessed last year? The poultry industry is on high alert, and every day counts in the battle against avian influenza.