Maldon's MP, Sir John Whittingdale, has renewed calls for financial support for businesses affected by the UK's 'worst ever' avian influenza outbreak, this afternoon (December 6).

Sir John told MPs at a Westminster Hall debate last Wednesday (November 30) that the disease is "not going away".

Avian flu is now affecting every part of the UK but is particularly prevalent in East Anglia, where it impacts wildlife and agriculture.

So far, three outbreaks have taken place in the Maldon constituency.

"We're going to have to find a way of living with this disease for some time to come."

Sir John told Nub News: "The number of outbreaks is falling, which is good news.

"But there are still outbreaks taking place, so we also need to consider what measures are necessary in the long term, because it's likely that we're going to have to find a way of living with this disease for some time to come.

"This is the equivalent of COVID, in that while biosecurity is very important, we have to accept the disease is now prevalent in the UK – just as we tried to keep COVID out and didn't succeed."

As well as the serious impact on the wild bird population, Sir John is concerned about the impact on the poultry industry, which contributes £2 billion to the economy.

He said: "If you are a poultry farmer, it is so damaging. It threatens the survival of large parts of the industry.

"There needs to be some kind of financial support mechanism for those who are worst affected."

Producers like Kelly Turkeys, a Danbury-based business, have lost thousands of birds but have only been able to obtain financial compensation for a fraction of them.

Under the Animal Health Act 1981, compensation is payable following culling.

However, with this current outbreak, birds are being lost so rapidly that they die before culling can commence and smaller producers can lose almost their entire flock without being eligible for compensation. 

Sir John asked the Government to consider amending the current compensation scheme to address this "very real threat" to the industry.

WATCH Sir John's speech below:

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