A cull of 127,000 ducks has begun in a desperate bid to stop the UK s latest outbreak of deadly bird flu from spreading.
The highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of Avian Influenza has infected a flock being reared for Britain s largest duck producer Gressingham Foods at Ickburgh, near Thetford, Norfolk.
The birds on the farm, and three other linked duck farms in the same village, all operated by Green Label Poultry, are being slaughtered over the coming days as fears grow over the spread of the disease.
Workers in white protection suits could be seen gathering in the early morning mist in the area of one of the duck rearing units
A WEST Dorset initiative to improve the landscape is set to benefit from more than £200,000 of government funding. The Greening West Dorset s Hills and Vales project organised by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, has received £214,000 from the government s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The project will see Dorset AONB working with local organisations and farmers with an aim to conserve and restore some of the most well-loved and valuable landscapes in the area. This includes the restoration of nine ponds, stretches of river, lowland meadow, traditional orchards and hedgerows. The work will also expand the natural flood management capacity of the River Asker and control invasive species in the area, such as the Himalayan balsam.