Free-range turkey is off the menu for Christmas dinner as the Government announces turkey lockdown in response to North Yorkshire avian flu cases

Nobody will be having free-range turkey for Christmas dinner this year as a turkey lockdown will come into force later this month, which means all birds must be kept indoors.

After an avian flu outbreak at two turkey farms in North Yorkshire was discovered this week, triggering the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to announce a housing order, which means all birds must be kept indoors from 14 December, including chickens kept in gardens or smallholdings.

The measures mean fresh turkeys bought for Christmas dinner will not be entirely free range, as farmers are forced to take the measures to protect from the disease.

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The risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies have advised that avian flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products including eggs.

Turkey farmers are forced to take the measures to protect their flocksTurkey farmers are forced to take the measures to protect their flocks
Turkey farmers are forced to take the measures to protect their flocks

Government chief veterinary officers are encouraging bird keepers to use the next 11 days to prepare for new housing measures, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet and where necessary put up additional housing.

The three chief veterinary officers across England, Wales and Scotland said: "We have taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease and are now planning to introduce a legal requirement for all poultry and captive bird keepers to keep their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds.

"Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from 14 December onwards you will be legally required to keep your birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease."

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This comes after a second North Yorkshire farm was confirmed to have an outbreak of avian flu yesterday, which now makes three sites over two farms.

A 3km radius in Northallerton was cordoned off due to the avian flu outbreakA 3km radius in Northallerton was cordoned off due to the avian flu outbreak
A 3km radius in Northallerton was cordoned off due to the avian flu outbreak

The company which runs the sites, Avara Foods, told the Yorkshire Post that an investigation was underway to find out the source of the H5N8 infection.

The second farm affected is thought to be geographically close to the initial case in the county, which was confirmed as Sowber Hill Farm at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton.

More than 10,000 birds have been culled as a result of the infection.

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Earlier this week, a 3km exclusion zone was put in place around Sowber Hill, and security personnel could be seen at the farm. Unauthorised personnel are now banned from entering the premises.

Poultry keepers in the area will now be expected to strengthen their biosecurity measures and a housing order - which requires anyone who owns free-range birds to keep them indoors is expected to be announced this week.

An Avara Foods spokesman said: “Avian Influenza (H5N8) has been confirmed on a turkey farm complex within the Avara Foods supply chain. We can confirm that all birds on site will be humanely culled and the complex will undergo intensive cleaning and disinfection, as per APHA regulations.

“Investigations to identify how the virus established itself onsite are ongoing.

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“We have enacted our contingency plan and are working closely with government agencies and our wider suppliers and farming operations to manage this incident effectively and ensure that supply is not disrupted.

“Additional precautionary measures are in place across our agricultural operations, but it is important to stress that there is no risk to human health or food safety.”

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